Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Karen Stollznow
Linguist; author; Editor,
The Skeptic magazine
CONTRIBUTORS
Dr. Eugenie C. Scott Tim Farley
Physical Anthropologist; Creator, What’s The Harm
Executive Director, National website, Skeptical Software
Center for Science Education Tools blog
2
THE PROJECT
In 2007, I called for a renewed focus on classical skeptical activism in an article called “Where
Do We Go From Here?” (released as an audio essay on Skeptic magazine’s official podcast
Skepticality,1 in PDF form at Skeptic.com,2 and in print by the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry’s
Skeptical Briefs newsletter.)
Letters of response flooded in — and a common theme emerged. Many people wrote to say,
“Alright, I’m convinced. I’m ready to become a skeptical activist. Now what?”
That was a very big question. Attempting to craft a substantial answer, I re-read a concise 2004
Skeptic magazine article entitled “50 Things You Can Do To Encourage Critical Thinking.” This
point-form list of practical suggestions (by magician Andrew Mayne) captured my feelings exactly:
concrete, positive action is the point of skepticism as a movement. At the end of the day, we’re in
this thing to discover reality, to expose fraud — and to help people.
That seemed like a great foundation to build on. With Mayne’s permission, I developed an
expanded new list of over 100 suggestions for skeptical activism. Then, I invited prominent skeptical
writers, organizers, and activists to comment on each of these suggestions.
INTRODUCTION
The response was exhilarating. Many leading skeptics gave generously of their time and
experience, enthusiastically sharing wisdom and advice. I collated that flood of comments into a
master document, in the format of a panel discussion — and then sent that out for further commentary.
Over months, the project went through several rounds of comment and counter-comment — followed
by many more rounds of editing, restructuring, and proofing.
The result is a sprawling and rich document, to which 13 skeptics contributed
almost 30,000 words. Their comments comprise a fair cross-section of
skeptical thought: contributors came from all of the national U.S.
skeptics groups and also five of the leading skeptical podcasts —
plus the world’s leading creationist watchdog, an important filmmaker,
an influential independent web innovator, and the head of one of
the most effective national skeptics groups overseas.
I’d like to thank all those who joined me on the project.
Even more, I extend my gratitude to all those readers and
emerging leaders who choose to discuss and develop these
ideas from this point forward.3
I hope you find this topic as inspiring to consider as I have.
Daniel Loxton
Skeptic magazine
Editor, Junior Skeptic
INTRODUCTION
• INVESTIGATE (page 21)
• LOCAL ORGANIZING & FUN (page 23)
• YOUR COMMUNITY (page 27)
• INTERACT WITH MEDIA (page 30)
• SCHOOLS (page 33)
• LIBRARIES (page 36)
• POLITICAL ACTION (page 37)
• CONSUMER ACTIVISM (page 40)
• FILM & VIDEO (page 42)
• ONLINE ACTIVISM (page 44)
• PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS (page 52)
Finally, be aware that this is not an exhaustive list, but merely a place to begin.
No such list can ever be complete, so long as motivated skeptical activists continue
to innovate and bring their best ideas forward. To share your ideas about skeptical
activism, visit www.skepticforum.com/activism
4
Ben: Supporting skeptical organizations is
SUPPORT MAJOR critical, because they serve as public
SKEPTICAL ORGANIZATIONS voices for reason. It’s all well and good
for individual people to be skeptical of
things, but organizations can do outreach
much more effectively than solo skeptics.
1. Donate money to skeptical organizations. Without organizations to support higher-
profile skeptics, we wouldn’t reach nearly
as many people.
Daniel: I’m wryly aware of my conflict of
interest on this point — I work for a Daniel: Here’s an important suggestion that
skeptical organization. But I’m also well sounded slightly ghoulish to me when I
placed to appreciate that skeptical first encountered skepticism in my teens,
organizations are typically shoestring but which now already (in my 30s)
operations with their eyes on many worthy seems to me moving and noble: consider
projects they simply can’t afford. Most providing for a skeptical organization in
are understaffed, often with staffers who your will.
subsidize the organization by doing a lot This is a standard thing for nonprofits.
of pro bono work. Out-of-date tools limit In some circumstances, this can even
many groups. With severe budget result in a larger inheritance for your
limitations, many create outreach materials loved ones — and your bequest really
with frankly sub-professional production can make a lasting, critical impact for
values — which makes it difficult for skepticism. This was certainly the case
even the Big Three U.S. skeptics for the Australian Skeptics.
1 http://www.skeptic.com/article/WhatDoIDoNext 3 http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/support-us.html 5
2 http://www.skeptic.com/about_us/donate.html 4 http://www.csicop.org/about/donate.html
Ben: Karen’s point about outreach in “Third Swoopy: While I agree it is important to
World” countries is very good. While we donate to these organizations, many of
in North America, Europe, and Australia whom subsist purely on the generosity
naturally focus on combating the of their base, I would also recommend
paranormal and pseudoscience at home, to those who run those organizations not
many countries, particularly in Latin to ask for funds too often — and to temper
America and Africa, are also in great the way in which they express the need
need of skeptical resources. I’m pleased for financial support.
to have worked with skeptics in South Case in point: one of our local
America1 in particular. And financial organizations, which has been around
donations go much further in those for over 20 years, opens each meeting
countries as well. or program with a call for funds and a
Daniel: It’s important to support the larger passing of the basket. While folks are
national and regional groups, and tithing, the treasurer often reiterates the
overseas groups as well. organization’s rising expenses and
financial woes. It has unfortunately put
Also, remember that there are many, us off of attending as many meetings as
many smaller groups (there’s quite likely often as we were in the beginning, as it
one in your town or on your campus, seemed like more of a call for money
and if not you could start one) for whom than a social gathering.
a few donations of donuts, pizza money,
or beer may be the pivotal difference D.J.: Swoopy’s point makes sense, since none
between energized communities of of us likes to be hard-sold by a charity.
local activists and a bunch of frustrated On the other hand, I would encourage
1 Ben Radford is the Managing Editor of the Spanish-language skeptical magazine Pensar: http://www.pensar.org/ 6
2. Buy stuff from skeptical organizations. Ben: Tim makes an excellent point about
encouraging mainstream publishers
through sales. Folks like Joe Nickell and
Daniel: Again, I have a conflict of interest (my
myself have a hard time getting big
job is making kids’ science content sold
publishers interested in skeptical material.
as part of Skeptic magazine), but this is
They say, “There’s not much market for
again a topic well worth mentioning.
skeptical books.” We often go with
All the major skeptics groups and many smaller publishers — which are often
regional ones are supported to a large very good, but don’t have the resources
degree by the sale of stuff: conference or interest to really push into the mass
registrations, magazine subscriptions, market. Supporting authors and publishers
books, lectures on DVD, and so on. does help sustain the market.
In many instances, buying stuff from a
Tim: Also, keep an eye out for skeptical
skeptics group can have a compounding
websites that have affiliate stores for
value: you can directly support a skeptics
Amazon (and other retail sites), and buy
group with money, while also collecting
things from there. You pay the same
resources that inform you and make you
price you would have anyway, but the
a more effective activist. Then, you can
skeptics’ website gets a cut. And don’t
pass that benefit along by donating your
forget: this includes purchases of
used magazines, lectures, and books to
non-skeptic-related items!
local libraries, campus groups, or relatives
— and also by putting to work your I blogged about this1 and included a
growing expertise as a skeptic. list of sites which have Amazon Affiliate
1 http://skeptools.wordpress.com/2008/09/06/what-can-you-do-shop-at-amazon/ 7
Kylie: Remember, “stuff” can include badges, Swoopy: Not only should we write to skeptics,
bags, toys — a wide range of fun material skeptical organizations, and their various
that doesn’t have to be just literature- publications in order to support them,
related. Get in touch with artists. Will but we should provide feedback to the
they make a special design to lift the various skeptical bloggers and podcasters.
novelty a little more on what you have Statistics show that the majority of
to offer? feedback received (especially in the case
D.J.: Range is essential. A quick look at the of letters to the editor or email feedback)
Human Rights Campaign’s website is initiated in order to express a complaint
shows this great array: products from ties or disagreement. Our skeptical heroes
and tie-tacks and cufflinks, to welcome need to hear our positive feedback, and
mats and blankets. receive the occasional pat on the back,
which goes a long way towards bolstering
When merchandising skepticism, we morale and encouraging these folks to
should admit that the younger rabble- continue their important work.
rousers and the older, more moderate
science-types will respond to different Ben: A little encouragement goes a long way.
products. We need distinct product lines, As a skeptical writer / investigator, it’s
each designed by the sort of people that pretty typical that you only hear from
product line is supposed to appeal to. people when they are mad at you, or are
defensive about something that’s been
Daniel: D.J’s points are correct: we do need investigated. It’s always refreshing to
range, and we do need dignified materials hear encouragement, and it means a lot
that can carry our brand to a mainstream to me to have people say they appreciate
audience.
8
4. Offer to donate computer equipment, software, limited number of general tasks that can
or other useful stuff to skeptical organizations. be usefully done by a volunteer off the
street.
Daniel: Have some file cabinets in good For that reason, it’s helpful to have a
condition, or own a pizza parlor? It realistic idea of the un-sexy tasks that
never hurts to ask if skeptical organizations might be useful, such as moving a stack
in your area could use free or discounted of boxes from here to there or putting
stuff. the same pamphlet into thousands of
identical envelopes.
Jeff: If you work for a printing house or a
company that makes pens (or whatever), Jeff: Physical help is always welcome. We
see if they’d be willing to donate some have a gentleman who’s showing his
services to a skeptical organization. support by painting the exterior of the
JREF building. That’s a huge savings to
We recently received a video projector
us.
that will come in handy, and someone
else donated a bunch of JREF stickers. Daniel: Make sure your motivation isn’t just
This stuff can really help. And to echo to chum around. Just having a stranger
what Ben says, yes, a lot of this comes in an office can slow down the whole
out of our own pockets. A lot. operation, so be focused. Have a clear
idea of the commitment you can make.
Swoopy: Depending on the organization’s
Keep it short at first (“Thursday from one
nonprofit status, donations of this sort
till five PM”) and don’t ever offer anything
may be tax deductible. Making these
you can’t stick to. Plan to work.
sorts of goods and services donations
9
6. Offer expert knowledge or services to Eugenie: A local skeptics group can always
skeptical organizations. use someone who has some experience
with the media. Talk radio, especially, is
chock full of pseudoscience, and a
Daniel: More valuable are volunteers with
member who knows how to contact
special skills to contribute: artists, web
radio station hosts (or more likely, their
designers, technicians, photographers
producers) and knows how to pitch a
and other professionals are all welcome.
guest can provide a wonderful service
(I donated pro bono art to Skeptic and
to a skeptical group — as well as to
similar magazines for years before taking
the community!
on Junior Skeptic.)
Be sure to vet the members of the
Please don’t get carried away with
organization for who would do best on
your offers, though. Don’t exaggerate
radio, who on television, who to submit
your abilities, take on a pro bono
op-ed columns to the local newspaper,
burden you can’t really deliver, or lock
etc. You don’t want your shaggiest
yourself into something you’ll wind up
college professor doing the television
regretting. That’s a waste of everyone’s
show, but his / her personal grooming
time and good will — especially yours!
proclivities are less likely to be important
(Also, a note to beginners: it’s bad on the radio, for example.
form to start a query letter by telling
experienced, dedicated staff that they’re Ben: Genie’s absolutely right about vetting
doing a terrible job! Skeptical members, and especially “spokespeople.”
organizations are well aware of the room I see cases where skepticism is
for improvement, but they’re generally represented not by the most articulate
10
7. Offer unique services — such as your personal
mega-stardom.
11
Ben: Yes, do your homework and know your
LEARN & COMMUNICATE stuff. No one expects you to have an
encyclopedic knowledge of all skeptical
topics, but there are great resources
9. Know your stuff! Follow the skeptical literature, (such as Bob Carroll’s The Skeptic’s
and the paranormal literature. Dictionary) that can bring you up to
speed. And, of course, regularly reading
skeptic magazines will help. Keep up on
D.J.: I think that more credulous titles like the
the believer stuff as well. (To be honest,
Fortean Times or Llewellyn’s New Worlds
though, there’s little new in most mystery-
series are skeptical reading. I often read
mongering magazines. Much of it rehashes
this type of stuff every bit as much as
old material: “Oh, look! Another piece
the skeptical magazines. It keeps one
on Edgar Cayce, and one on the
abreast on current claims and trends.
Bermuda Triangle!”)
Karen: Attend local non-skeptical events such
Daniel: Of course Ben’s point is correct: the
as psychic fairs, public talks and work-
paranormal literature rehashes a lot of
shops. Be informed about historical and
old stuff (as does the skeptical literature).
existing paranormal and pseudoscientific
But, those topics will be brand new to
beliefs. Skeptics should know what
many people getting involved now. And,
believers believe.
even for old dogs, there is always more
Eugenie: I can’t echo Karen loudly enough. to learn on those old topics. If scholars
Most reasonably large communities have can spend their entire careers on just
plenty going on that skeptics should Shakespeare, the combined lives and
12
online community like the JREF Forum 11. Learn what makes professional marketing
— and then, hopefully, branch off from and communication effective.
there.
But I’ve had the experience fairly Daniel: You may not be a design professional;
often recently of meeting people who and, if you’re working at a grassroots
identify as skeptics, have opinions critical level your resources are going to be
of the paranormal, but have never limited. (Resources are severely limited
dipped deeply into the wider skeptical even for national skeptics groups.) But it
literature. They may not even realize that still pays to note the difference
the major skeptics magazines exist. between what marketing pros do and
Now, I certainly don’t mean to argue what disorganized, angry, or inexperienced
that any one type of media is superior. amateurs do.
(I’d really argue the opposite: we’re Pictures matter. Spelling matters.
much better off when we cast a wide “Framing science” matters — a lot. Your
net.) But, I think it is important for people message may be just what everyone
to realize that many of the key topics of needs to hear, but it’s worthless unless
skepticism were robustly investigated you can convince somebody to listen to
and thoroughly debunked decades ago. you.
People need to know where to look for
At the most local level, it matters
those older investigations.
whether you proofread and spell-check
Kylie: Younger skeptics are frustrated when your blog, take care to be courteous in
they discover they are reinventing your forum posts, and are giving and
initiatives that were already in place humble in your personal conversations.
1 http://www.skeptics.com.au/skeptic/greatcd.htm 13
2 http://www.csicop.org/si
Daniel: Kylie has often called for greater 12. Develop skeptical lectures for specific
accountability and introspection regarding audiences: women’s groups, colleagues from
the effectiveness of our skeptical outreach your own industry, seniors associations,
efforts. She’s right that we should value and so on.
constructive criticism from our peers.
On the other hand, my feeling is that Daniel: It’s important to tailor your presentation
our production values and communication to your audience. That isn’t cynical. It’s
strategies are still so rudimentary that just good communication — and good
we’ve got our work cut out for us just manners! If an audience gives you their
reaching for things we obviously need to valuable time, you shouldn’t waste it
improve. We need to pursue the things with off-topic material.
that make any communication effective:
Guys like Michael Shermer, who lecture
self-evident, rock-bottom basics like,
frequently about skeptical topics, have
“Use nice pictures,” and “Don’t
several prepared lectures they can dip
condescend” and “Talk in a warm and
into depending on the needs of their
friendly way.” Once we have our ducks
audience: a basic intro to skepticism lecture,
somewhat in a row, we can refine
a lecture about their current area of
further from there.
research, and so on.
Swoopy: Find a press or media kit online It’s likely that you have a special
compiled by a reputable organization. knowledge of the needs of a particular
Learn from the strengths and weaknesses group, perhaps because of your profession.
of that document, and then create your This knowledge can allow you to shine
own. This may include conducting an light on specialized paranormal mischief
14
13. Learn from other activist organizations. Pat: As an advertising professional of some
40 years, I’d like to say a word in favor
of the term “skeptic,” and make a few
Daniel: Skepticism isn’t the first good cause
comments about naming and branding.
to seek public support and sympathy.
We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. When we started Skeptics Society and
Skeptic magazine, we agonized over the
If you have experience with other
possibility that we were choosing a
forms of activism, whether for political,
“negative” term when we selected the
environmental, or social causes, draw on
word “skeptic.” It turned out to be one
what you’ve learned in those other
of the best decisions we ever made.
areas. If you have little such experience,
learn from the most responsible and • Do pick a memorable, short, simple
effective campaigns you see around you. name — like a nickname.
Do please remember, though, that • Don’t pick a clever acronym, or a
skepticism already has lousy optics. name that must be explained to be
People approve of animal welfare appreciated. It’s like a joke: if you
whether animal rights advocates sound have to explain it, it doesn’t count.
extreme or not. Skepticism has no such • Don’t expect to find a word that
existing sympathy. Our first challenge is means exactly what you want it to
to overcome a stigma for being cranky mean to all people. It probably
naysayers. The only way to do that is to doesn’t exist. Corporations know
keep to the high ground. this when they name new products
To a large degree, our ability to speak with made up words that carry no
about science and critical thinking in a baggage, like Xerox, Kleenex or
15
14. Learn from other outreach efforts. “reinvention of the wheel.”
Best strategy: ape the methods of
Daniel: It’s distasteful to me to think of skeptical other successful organizations, to the
activism as “evangelical,” but that doesn’t extent that they are ethical (not every
mean that we can’t learn a few tricks strategy of our cultural competitors
from the hard-won experience of political should be adopted, even if they are very
and religious promoters throughout effective). Great examples for me
history. personally include the Campus Crusade
for Christ, HRC and Oxfam America.
For a substantial, illuminating, and
frequently hilarious rumination on a
niche literature eternally struggling with
such challenges (serving its base while
doing outreach; staying on message 15. Communicate through your current channels.
while also being persuasive to a broad
audience; striving to be popular while Daniel: Are you surprised to hear that (Lo!
also remaining serious and high-minded) These many long years ago) my college
I cannot recommend more highly Daniel radio show had a strong skeptical theme?
Radosh’s book Rapture Ready.
Many of us have platforms for skeptical
This tour of Christian pop culture kept communication already, especially if
reminding me how truly primitive skeptical we’re involved in creative professions
outreach remains. If Christian pop culture like writing, art, or music. But almost all
trails the sophistication of secular pop professions offer at least the opportunity
culture by a few years, skepticism (in my to take a strong stance against the
16
I serve on the “young friends” board High school, college or university
of the St. Louis Public Library, and often students may be able to get a start by
over the last few months was the lone undertaking work experience with their
skeptical voice against the prevailing local skeptical organization. This is how
view that the best way to attract people I got started. Students can become
to the library’s events was to schedule involved in research, investigating, writing,
paranormal themed activities: host a talk and organizing events. Likewise,
about how the main branch of the organizations can offer internships,
library is haunted, or create a “spooky work experience and class credit for
Halloween event,” etc. And of course, writing articles and attending
this has a great rationale: when the conferences and seminars.
library hosted Grant Wilson from Ghost
Hunters last year, the place was standing Ben: I agree with Karen: offer to do volunteer
room only, and they are still talking writing or research for magazines or
about it. Still, not only did I feel obligated investigators. That’s how I started at
to speak up, I felt obligated to do my Skeptical Inquirer: I offered to write
best to speak up in a way that would be some short “News & Comment” pieces,
persuasive. just for publishing credit (be sure you’re
a decent writer!). It may lead to other
opportunities.
Daniel: Short pieces that are close to your
16. Write for skeptical magazines (such as area of expertise are the best place to
Skeptic, Skeptical Inquirer, and The Skeptic) start: small news items, book reviews,
print newsletters (such as CSI’s Skeptical even letters to the editor. Don’t submit
1 http://www.skeptic.com/the_magazine/contribute.html 17
2 http://www.csicop.org/si/guide-for-authors.html
Karen: Pat is right. This is an important target D.J.: Over the last few years, a new opportunity
audience. Articles that think critically are has opened up to CSI as a venue for
vital to counteract the horoscope pages, advancing skepticism: the Center for
psychic advertisements and frivolous, Inquiry’s summer camp, Camp Inquiry.
credulous articles typically espoused And the workshop we give for children
within this genre. There are plenty of ages 7 – 14 on skepticism as “intellectual
topics to tackle within the seemingly karate” gets great feedback, including
limited confines of women’s magazines. coverage by NPR’s All Things Considered
Write about health and nutrition, facts this last summer.
about parenting, myths, hoaxes, swindles, My advice: focus on the youngsters in
and scams — anything that offers a their current organizations. Become a
skeptical slant, common sense, self-help, voice of reason in Boy Scouts, Girl
and humor. Scouts or the local after school program
Kylie: You can always point out that a in your neighborhood. Including magic
horoscope page is taking up valuable or workshop elements on optical illusions
space in a publication that could always and how easy it is for our mind to play
use it for advertising — that’s what tricks on us may increase interest.
happened to Vanity Fair. Remember not Eugenie’s point about online resources
to be discouraged if you cannot get into is a good one: Both CSI’s web-based
women’s publications, as many depend Inquiring Minds program and Junior
on the credulous-based advertising. Skeptic are poised to become such
resources.
Ben: Avoid preaching to the choir. Publish
skeptical articles and pieces where the Daniel: I think Derek & Swoopy of Skepticality
1 http://www.skeptrack.org/ 18
18. Learn what skeptics are doing overseas. Kylie: When the Skeptic Zone podcast was
asked to present at Dragon*Con 2008 on
the panel called “Global Skepticism,” we
Daniel: Many people are surprised to discover
emailed about a dozen skeptical groups
that their own country has an active
worldwide and quite a few responded. It
national skeptics organization. An extensive
was gratifying that they wrote back, and
list of international skeptical organizations
intriguing to learn of their different
is maintained by CSI.1 Links to many
approaches, sensitivities, and areas of
international groups are also available at
need.
Skeptic.com.2
For skeptics based in North America, it
is an illuminating and humbling exercise
to familiarize yourself with the many
19. Remember that “skepticism” is different
groups across the world — and the special
from “atheism.” Many active skeptics are
challenges each faces within their culture,
religious.
language, and region. Especially note-
worthy groups exist in Australia, Canada,
New Zealand, Italy, India, and the U.K. Daniel: Skepticism is an approach to testable
physical claims. Atheism is a conclusion
Jeff: Don’t assume your country’s problems regarding an untestable metaphysical
are what other countries should focus claim. These are not the same thing.
upon. The U.S. has different concerns
from the U.K., which has different concerns You can be both a skeptic and an
than Korea, and so on. atheist. I am, and this is demographically
common amongst skeptics. But please
1 http://www.csicop.org/resources/ 19
2 http://www.skeptic.com/about_us/related_organizations.html
20. Make allies. Be cooperative. ministers in town supported our anti-
creationist group. In a casual conversation,
I discovered that — unlike me — he
Daniel: Skeptics, atheists, and humanists are
supported prayer in school. Well, we can
infamous for splintering over doctrinal
agree on not teaching creationism in
differences and interpersonal politics.
science class, and disagree on whether
That’s ridiculous — there are far too few
kids should start the day with a teacher-
skeptics (and far too much work to be
led prayer. Similarly, if you are an atheist
done!) to bog down into such nonsense.
and a skeptic, this should not impede
It reminds me of the time I asked a your cooperating with someone who is a
member of a particular colony-based believer and a skeptic. Stress what you
Anabaptist sect what the difference was have in common. It is always easy to
between his group and a splinter group find ways you differ — but easier than
they held very much at arm’s length. you think to find ways you are similar.
“Mostly the hats,” he told me.
Jeff: Yes — find allies for specific issues, not
Look, don’t do that. What we need is
all issues. If you disagree with someone
help, not ideological purity. Find friends
about something, focus on what you
wherever you can. Build bridges. Work
agree on. I do skeptical work with a
with people.
member of PETA. We disagree on PETA,
I’d call out one point for special but we agree on the anti-vax movement.
emphasis: skepticism as a movement
should be open to common ground Ben: Look for groups with whom you may
with faith-motivated activists, (including not necessarily agree on all issues, but
those who do not identify themselves with whom you can find common
20
careless debunking by that “skeptic”
INVESTIGATE made all skeptics look like they didn’t
know what they were talking about.
This is a discussion for a book chapter
21. Remember, the goal of skeptical investigation instead of a short section, and I don’t
isn’t to cast rhetorical doubt on paranormal want to discourage investigation. But the
claims, but to discover what’s true. take-home message: If you’re going to
do it, do it right. Read about investigations
D.J.: Investigate, yes. But don’t assume that in skeptical books and magazines; talk to
your skepticism alone provides the bona investigators; do your research. Know
fides to be a paranormal investigator any your skeptical principles and logical
more than it qualifies you to be a crime fallacies.
scene investigator. Learn investigative Jeff: This is a pet peeve of mine. It’s fine to
methods, rules of evidence, and interview form a hypothesis, but don’t try to confirm
or interrogation techniques. it — try to disprove it.
Daniel: Don’t get ahead of the evidence. I recently saw a photo of a spider
Often, an honest investigator will be eating a bird. My first thought was
forced to conclude, “I don’t know what “hoax,” but I did the research and found
happened here.” Most claims of paranormal that the photo was genuine. I also
experiences are unsupported anecdotes learned why I thought it was a hoax,
of the form, “I saw a UFO. Explain that, which was very interesting.
Mr. Skeptic!” Those cases can’t be
solved, as rule — there’s nothing to D.J: Never reject a claim out of hand.
INVESTIGATE
investigate. Otherwise, you are investigating not with
an open mind, but obviously to
Don’t jump to conclusions. Definitely showboat. I think these questions are
don’t plug in a standard general explanation genuinely worth investigating. If they
as the answer for a specific case. Just aren’t, they should not be investigated —
say, “We’ll have to keep digging into even by a debunker who aims to teach
this. In the meantime, it’s worth keeping the public how gullible they are.
in mind that similar cases have resulted
from X and Y.” Karen: We should treat each case anew, each
experience as unique, and not as “just
Kylie: One of the best pieces of advice I ever another ghost story.” Think it over,
got was to walk in not as the skeptic, discuss it with colleagues, research and
guns blazing and prepared to debunk — analyze the data before making premature
but to ask questions. Take the opportunity pronouncements. If you don’t have the
to be just another tourist, just another patience, and if you don’t have the
observer. Then take that data, sit down understanding, don’t do it.
after and think it over.
Jay: A good skeptic should have a good
Ben: Poorly done research by debunkers attitude. Whenever you are dealing with
(instead of investigators) gives skepticism people you have to consider their feelings.
a bad name. Joe Nickell and I wince They may have a great deal invested in
when we hear “a skeptic” incorrectly what you are investigating. You will
discredit some phenomenon, only to be often find that your critical inquiry is not
proven wrong. welcome. People don’t want their beliefs
For example, when I was investigating questioned or proven false. With this in
the Santa Fe Courthouse Ghost mystery mind, you need to handle your
in 2007, one amateur skeptic announced investigations with tremendous care.
that the strange image was obviously not Even if you do a great job at showing
a ghost but instead a rare phenomenon the truth, you will accomplish nothing
called ball lightning. In fact, the image if you have a standoffish attitude.
didn’t resemble ball lightning at all. The
21
22. When you receive a chain email, Google it. thorough library and Internet research.
Then tell the sender what you discovered and It’s a great way for amateur skeptical
gently encourage them to Google the next one investigators to get a foot in the door
for themselves. and get some solved cases under their belt.
Over the years I have been
Daniel: I do this now almost as a hobby. In approached by people who have an
my experience, these emails are always interest in skeptical investigation, but
well-known hoaxes that can be solved in who don’t really know where to begin.
the first three Google hits (frequently by If my workload allows it, I’m happy to
Snopes.com). Often, they are old hoaxes, give them guidance and even help them
sometimes originating before I was even prepare a short article about their
born. investigation.
Ben: Google is good, but Google ain’t god; Kylie: If you’re serious about investigation,
neither is Wikipedia, so crosscheck your it’s important to really talk to the stake-
sources. Snopes is especially good. holders concerned. This may include the
paranormalists who have their own view
Kylie: Such claims are great material for of the matter. Being willing to listen and
classroom lesson plans — media literacy record all views is not only part of being
and library studies are all about checking a good networker, it demonstrates that
sources! you are not the “closed minded” one.
There are also psychological, cultural
and emotional aspects that should be
considered. Be sure to step out if you
INVESTIGATE
23. Dig into a local paranormal mystery. are out of your depth.
22
of CSI’s Hollywood branch, has done
several experiments.
LOCAL ORGANIZING (& FUN)
Or, you may wish to stick to informal,
preliminary, just-for-fun exercises like the
following, which are easier to do and
easier to explain to others:
25. Employ sound organizational practices.
• Ouija board test:1 Have a group seek
answers from a Ouija board in the
normal way, then hang a cloth or Daniel: The world is full of professional
place a piece of cardboard between administrators and policy guidelines for a
the board and the participants’ reason: it is all too easy for unfocused
eyes, so they can freely move their groups to descend into wasteful, frustrating
hands but can’t see the board. See disarray.
how clear the messages are then. If you’re thinking of organizing a local
• Have your chi or energy “adjusted” group, take some time to think about
at a local holistic energy clinic. how to structure your group for success.
Then go to a different energy clinic What is the group for? How will decisions
across town for an analysis. See be made? Who will do the work? How
what they say. If they say you need are conflicts to be resolved?
work, you might ask them how
they know, since your energy was Eugenie: Grassroots organizations have similar
“corrected” a short while ago. problems whatever their purpose: they
tend to be volunteer-run (unless they are
Jeff: Keep things very, very simple. This is
1 Be aware that classroom exercises with an occult flavor can be a source of serious conflicts with parents and school staff, as well as possibly 23
frightening to small children. Excercise caution and social responsibility when planning any such exercises.
26. Start a skeptics club at your high school or clear and welcoming, and help prevent
on your college campus (or join if one already conflict and frustration. (Many new
exists). skeptics groups flame out over just this
issue.)
Kylie: Thankfully, social networking sites like D.J.: Note to non-students: be sure to be
Facebook and MySpace have made this supportive of the growing network of
much easier! skeptical campus groups already out
there, even though you are off-campus.
Brian: Having done a fair amount of speaking
You can do so by offering yourself as a
for such groups, I can assure you that
speaker, helping with funding, networking
this is a field ripe for improvement. High
off-campus groups with campus groups,
school skeptics clubs rarely exist at all,
and providing leadership and direction.
and college clubs are usually under-
Over 200 such groups currently exist,
funded, under-attended, and unfocused.
and are networked through the website
These kids are bravely taking their first
campusinquirer.org, amongst other
steps into a terribly important world, and
places online.
are rarely given the hand they need.
But don’t assume that every student
Know a high school or college-age
group is waiting for you to tell them
skeptic? Help them get a club started at
how to grow: college skeptics have even
their school. You need look no further
more of an anarchist streak than
than the many skeptical magazines,
off-campus skeptics. Nudge, yes.
books, blogs, podcasts, and forums for a
But don’t push.
limitless supply of extremely high quality
material. You’ll find that nearly all of this
24
Karen: I recently attended a local gathering D.J.: Here is some counterintuitive advice: try
of skeptics where someone remarked to make sure that the members of your
that organizing skeptical events “is like skeptical group aren’t all exactly the
herding cats, because skeptics don’t do same kind of skeptics. How much more
groups.” This is nonsense. Skeptics enjoy impact our movement would have if
parties and functions, and having coffee, these 120 meetings of skeptical groups
dinner or drinks with friends. Simply in cities around the United States each
socializing with like-minded people and month engaged their larger community,
discussing common (sense) interests is as opposed to remaining a group of a
not being part of “the flock.” dozen curmudgeons meeting at a bar to
drink over another reason why ghosts
Daniel: Back when we were both starving don’t exist.
undergrads, I helped my brother run a
skeptics lecture series in a downtown
coffee shop. Like art openings, these
coffee-shop lectures were open to the
public, and had the draw of offering 28. If a local skeptics group already exists in
essentially free entertainment for your area, support it.
students. (We put out a donation
box by the till.) Karen: By all means, create new clubs and
The events were also almost free to groups in your city or university campus.
put on, thankfully. Jason found a café But remember, networking with existing
willing to host them on weeknights groups and becoming affiliated with a
(skeptics drink coffee, after all), and major group are ways to support the
25
29. Participate in (or organize) a “Skepticamp.” might even feature your book club
selection somewhere in the store,
drawing additional attention to titles of
Daniel: “Skepticamp” is a new concept that is
interest. Begin with a bestseller like The
gaining momentum: small-to-medium-
God Delusion or Why Darwin Matters
scale, self-organized skeptics conferences
and appeal to readers on both sides of
at which the audience members are also
the issue in order to gain more
the speakers. The idea is to harness the
attendance and encourage meaningful
potential of the “long tail” of the skeptical
conversation.
movement — offering a voice to all of
us who have passion and expertise to D.J.: Brilliant strategy to get in under the
share but who cannot take on the role radar. And there are such great books to
of a “professional” skeptic. focus on.
To learn more about Skepticamp, visit One caveat: since it is a public venue,
the Skepticamp site,1 or check out pioneer you should expect (and welcome!)
Reed Esau’s essay “Raising Our Game: participants who are emphatic believers
The Rationale to Embrace Skepticamp,” in various paranormal and supernatural
available in text format as a PDF2 or as claims. A bookstore’s book club will of
an audio essay (on the Skepticality pod- course not allow you to deny anyone’s
cast) with a feature interview with Reed.3 participation on the basis of personal
belief — and it would be inappropriate
Ben: I’ve discussed the idea with Reed, and
to try. Make sure you have the social
I’d be happy to participate in future
skills to allow for a diversity of opinion!
Skepticamps.
1 http://skepticamp.org 3 http://media.libsyn.com/media/skepticality/090_skepticality.mp3 26
2 http://skeptic.com/downloads/raising-our-game-oct-2008.pdf
32. Buy a telescope and host a star party for
students and adults to get them interested in
science. Or, build a social outing around a
science theme, such as a nature walk.
YOUR COMMUNITY
YOUR COMMUNITY
When astronomy becomes a highlight
venue could have been used to advance
of Friday-night clubbing — now, that’s
reason and critical thinking instead of
science outreach!
belief in the unbelievable.
Jeff: Want to impress a kid? Take him outside
and show him a star. Then say, “That’s
not a star, that’s a satellite. People like us
put that there.” 34. Get a booth at community fairs and events and
fill it with information about being a skeptic.
Tim: Especially impressive are iridium flares,
which are caused by low-earth-orbit
satellites. They are extremely bright, but Eugenie: This can be a great organization
only last a short time (under a minute). builder, as well as provide a lot of fun
They look like very slow moving meteors. for organization members. These days
You can look them up at you can usually get a cheap canopy for
heavens-above.com. Passes of the less than $100 at Costco, so take up a
International Space Station can be collection and get a “booth” you can
impressively bright these days too. take around to street fairs or other
events.
Swoopy: Community fairs are a common and
useful way for minority subcultures to do
community outreach and to find more
members. Look at the booths and materials
other groups use, and learn from those.
Ben: Yes, this is a good idea — but remember
to make it fun! Emphasize the interesting,
cool aspects of skepticism. Maybe have a
Bigfoot track on the table (instead of a
list of logical fallacies) to interest people
and get the conversation started. Have
flyers for local groups.
27
35. Help distribute flyers, put up posters, or
notify the press when skeptical or science
speakers are giving local talks.
Ben: Yes, get the word out any way you can:
email, flyers, posters, small ads.
Don’t be shy! 37. Volunteer at your local science museum.
Jeff: Tease folks. Put a puzzle on there, and
then put the answer on your site. Make Jeff: My mother does this. It’s easy and
them come visit you. Science fans can’t rewarding — and you get a discount at
resist stuff like this. the gift shop!
Kylie: Your local science museum may even
offer work experience opportunities.
36. Arrange field trips for grown ups to science Daniel: Skeptics are in the business of science
museums. communication — and science museums
have been ground zero for science
D.J.: Ideally, do this through your local skeptical outreach for over a century.
group or Center for Inquiry, who can This is one of the major places for
use the organizing assistance. At the skeptics to study and learn. An inside
center in Los Angeles, we have arranged look at how museums work (and the
for regular tours of Griffith Park problems they face) could be
YOUR COMMUNITY
Observatory, and such field trips are profoundly useful to you.
among some of our most popular
offerings there.
Swoopy: Those familiar with audio can also
create “sound seeing” tours of these 38. Offer to teach a class on skepticism and
places. Many podcasters have done this science at an adult education center.
with their favorite locales. The BBC and
NPR have both been pioneers of this Kylie: Quite often, these “open learning” or
type of program. Record ambient noise “annex” groups also teach some very
where you are, and describe vividly dubious or dangerous alternative practices.
what you see as you walk through your Having a class that tackles these could
local museum / planetarium / zoo. Many be useful.
respected museums have done these
types of guided tours for visitors for Brian: Don’t not do this simply because
years, but audio description doesn’t you’re worried that you won’t have
require visual accompaniment. All-audio enough to say. Consider all the skeptical
virtual tours are especially helpful for the blogs and podcasts out there to be your
visually impaired. reference material. My podcast, Skeptoid,
is specifically licensed for this type of
Pat: We love the geology tours put on by the use. You don’t even need my permission.
Skeptics Society’s official geologist, Don There’s over 100 class curricula for you
Prothero. These have ranged from a right there. I’m sure that most of the
half-day trip to view the San Andreas other blogs and podcasts you like will
Fault for fossil or gem collecting, to give you similar permission.
multi-day excursions through the
jaw-dropping scenery of the American
Southwest. Prothero lectures at all stops,
and each participant gets a booklet
explaining the terrain. Most people are
willing to pay a little something for the
trip and lectures so these are also
good fundraisers.
28
39. Put together a handout on local “haunted
history” legends and their likely explanations
for your town’s historical society, or develop
a skeptical “ghost” tour.
YOUR COMMUNITY
41. Invite health care professionals (and other
even reveal the whereabouts of the
experts) to speak to seniors’ centers about
house in question. The original house
medical quackery (and other rip-offs).
has even been modified to avert attention.
I investigated the stories, and the town
historical society was thrilled to be able Jeff: Ask your family doctor for an hour of
to counter the paranormal claims with a his or her time, but make the experience
factual account and skeptical analysis as smooth and easy as you are able.
of the events. Personally introduce the speaker, and
lead the Q & A session yourself.
Daniel: I once attended a Halloween “ghost
walk” tour organized by a local convent. Daniel: Seniors are often the target of other
It was long on architecture and short on scams as well, from real estate rip-offs to
ghosts, but it was fascinating. I think psychic cons to predatory antiques dealers.
skeptics could raise a similar “truth Any suitable expert on any relevant topic
behind local legends” concept to a highly might make a valuable speaker. If your
entertaining and informative level. local police department has a “Bunko
My hometown (Victoria, British Squad,” they may have an informed
Columbia) has a rich history of paranormal outreach officer available to speak.
legends: a once-famous sea monster, a Kylie: Do your homework beforehand.
local reptilian humanoid, and more Certainly get to know the senior center
ghosts than you could shake a stick at. and what their concerns are. Are they
We’re also ground zero for the “Satanic being targeted by a particular group
panic” of the 1980s (the star of Michelle and need to talk it over?
Remembers recovered her alleged Satanic
Ritual Abuse memories just up the street
from here). But Victoria isn’t unusual in
that respect — every town has its own
weird mysteries and macabre historical
legends.
29
42. Prepare accurate, thoroughly cited fact
sheets on health fraud and quackery. If you
know a doctor, solicit their editorial assistance.
Give the sheets to seniors’ centers, pharmacies,
doctors’ offices, hospitals and church groups to Don’t be that crank. Reserve the
distribute. traditional indignant letter to the editor
for the most serious breaches. And, even
then, be polite. Resist the urge to get in
Karen: Be sure to include additional book zingers. Assume the reporter and editors
and Internet resources and (thoroughly are lovely people who acted in good
referenced) facts. People always like to faith — and then courteously tell them
seek supplementary information, and how their conclusions were mistaken.
usually head straight to the minefield
that is the Internet, where it can be hard Ben: Remember to check your facts, and
to differentiate fact from fiction. It is better provide sources in your response.
to supply reliable sites that have accurate Jeff: Send a short, concise, and thoughtful
information, guiding users past the paragraph every time you see an article
misinformation and manufacturers. that offends. If you can include some
Kylie: There’s a variety out there humor in it, I find it’s more likely to
already, many produced by health get published.
care professionals. Don’t be afraid to Kylie: Request a “second opinion.” Ask that
contact consumer rights groups and the views of people with legitimate
watchdog sites like Quackwatch.org for qualifications be included to rebut the
additional resources. claims of alternative practitioners.
30
45. If you see media get it right, send a letter
of appreciation to the reporter — and tell
their boss how much you loved it, too.
31
48. Write to section editors and individual Daniel: The basic concept here is very important:
reporters to make story suggestions. it’s crucial that reporters be able to easily
locate and consult reliable, quotable
experts on both the findings of real science
Brian: Be aware that many newspapers
and the truth behind pseudoscientific
(especially small, local papers) are often
claims.
hurting for content, and 99% of the press
releases they receive are from people The big skeptics groups take a lot of
hoping to get their product or service this burden, but local and regional
promoted for free. If you can give them reporters will usually prefer to talk to
a fresh suggestion with no commercial relevant local experts if they’re available.
angle, there’s a good chance they’ll Karen: Provide access to expertise. Skeptical
jump on it. organizations both large and small
Karen: Cultivating friendships with the media should compile a list of specialists who
is useful too, especially science broad- can act as media representatives on
casters and consumer watchdogs. particular niche topics. The media come
Complimentary copies of your magazine calling for information regarding topics
will be welcomed and may have a positive from psychics to physics. Not everyone
influence on their future articles and is a skeptical “generalist.” Most of us
themes. Investigations can be replicated have specialty topics that we can address
for TV or magazines, and articles can be with greater depth than others.
republished to reach a new and Kylie: This might be better incorporated into
different audience. an existing university press office, who
may be willing to refer certain enquiries
32
(I actually know a skeptic who stormed 53. Speak to the members of your Parent-
away from a regular column in a huff Teacher Association (PTA) about science and
over very minor edits. Who does that critical thinking.
help?)
Most of all, be sensitive to the wide Kylie: Check what’s on booklists and syllabi.
variety of opinions held in good faith by Start discussions about recent research
your audience. Remember that we’re in into abstinence-only education and
this to help people, not to score points. creationism in schools.
Kylie: Choose topics with care! Companies Jeff: Expect a lot of pushback on controversial
advertise next to these columns and ideas. These are their kids you’re talking
finding useful and considered issues to about, and clear thinking is often over-
address will help pave the way a bit ruled by emotion. That said, don’t shy
without alienating the readership — or away from it either. Ultimately, what
stopping money from coming in! you’re doing is in their kids’ best interests.
Also, don’t forget that a “local newspaper”
could easily be a school paper, campus
magazine, or street press.
54. Volunteer as a guest speaker for classes
and school assemblies.
SCHOOLS
the schedule. They do have budgets, so
SCHOOLS don’t be shy about suggesting some of
the more popular skeptical speakers who
will be delighted to come to the school
and present a talk on critical thinking or
52. Go to school board meetings. Learn what science. The Secular Student Alliance
issues impact your local schools, and keeps a list of available speakers, as do
respectfully speak on behalf of science if other organizations.
the opportunity presents itself.
Karen: As a parent or community member,
find and recommend speakers and relevant
Jeff: And then get on the board! You want to
shows for your local schools. For example,
make a real and meaningful change?
Australia’s Mystery Investigators1 visit
Here it is.
schools and demonstrate simple, practical
Kylie: As secular rights lobbyist Lori Lipman and fun experiments that illustrate the
Brown said at Dragon*con: this was how scientific method and explain, test (and
the creationists got into the school board disprove) phenomena such as water
and began altering the curricula in the divining, spoon bending, and fire-walking.
U.S.A.! It is possible to gain a voice and
Kylie: I was asked back to a former work-
support science by taking part!
place to help run the student book club.
Jay: This is crucial front-line skepticism that Being a speaker and consultant can take
every school district needs. I can’t stress many different forms!
enough how important it is for science I would also strongly suggest getting
and critical thinking to be taught in our in touch with support and parents groups
schools. With pseudoscience and faith- for gifted students. Camps, activities,
based beliefs on the rise, the first line of lectures and summer school programs to
defense should be a proper education. enrich and extend the education of
students are always needed.
1 http://www.mysteryinvestigators.com/ 33
55. Provide tutoring to students (of all ages)
in the sciences, basic literacy, or English as a
Second Language (ESL).
SCHOOLS
Paranormal” course (and textbook). At a After nearly five years of networking
time when many institutions offer units and interacting with fellow philosophy
in naturopathy and herbal medicine, it’s teachers in my state, I became a presenter
important that we counter this with and co-author of a compulsory philosophy
courses that teach practical critical unit that prominently features skepticism,
thinking skills. critical thinking and ethics in a state-wide
course for high school students. All of our
Academics need to bear in mind that
materials are online and we are a part of
skepticism is relevant to scholarship of
a body that promotes philosophy in
all kinds. If you lecture or teach, don’t
schools internationally, from
ignore the myths of your field, but treat
pre-primary up.
them, and explain the facts.
Jeff: If critical thinking classes already exist at
your local college, contact the professors
and ask them if you could be a guest 58. Get some friends to contribute and create
speaker. Have a succinct subject to a skeptical scholarship award for local high
teach, and give them all the materials school students.
ahead of time. I’ve done this: the class
and professors love it.
Karen: Encourage your own organization to
Ben: A few years ago, I was giving a talk at set up a new award or scholarship at
the local skeptics group, and one person secondary or tertiary level.
in the audience turned out to be a
professor at the University of New Daniel: Or, try to involve local technology
Mexico. Since that time he’s started companies in sponsoring a new scholarship.
teaching a class on critical thinking and Jeff: Contact your local skeptic organization
has asked me to guest lecture a few — or a regional or national skeptics
times a year to his class. It’s a great group — and fund a scholarship through
way to get the message out. them. It doesn’t really have to be local.
34
59. Sponsor a science writing contest for your have done. A relevant recent example is
local schools. an essay contest sponsored by the
Western Australia Skeptics. You can read
a detailed postmortem of the contest’s
Brian: If you can get your hands on a decent
first year in a 2006 issue of The Skeptic,
prize or college savings bond, sponsor a
available for free online.1
contest for local students to write a
scientific or critical thinking paper. If
you inform the local newspapers, they’ll
not only cover and help to publicize it,
they may well offer to co-sponsor it with 60. Contribute prizes to local school science
you. fairs. Or, if you are a scientist, volunteer
your services as a judge.
It’s often a tough sell if you use the
word “skepticism,” so consider going
with “critical thinking” or “critical analysis” Kylie: This is a very useful strategy — putting
instead. There are many topics in our a public face on skeptics and presenting
world that a budding young scientist can us as positive contributors to educational
analyze by applying the scientific ventures.
method.
Kylie: Get in touch with other groups — state
science teachers associations, college
groups, even a local technical bookshop 61. Encourage more scientists to show up at
— and see if they can be a part of your career day.
project, or if you can augment something
SCHOOLS
they’ve already got running. Jeff: This is often difficult. Consider who has
Pat: You might also want to consider some- a message to get out. Big companies
thing like a T-shirt, poster, or bumper may want to do this for PR.
sticker contest. Kylie: Remember that “science” can be food
Daniel: Whether for writing or art, contests science, mining, astronomy, local museums,
should have an enticing prize (some genetics, forensic science…. Get a range
fame plus some cash) and be promoted of possibilities and let the scientists have
widely. In high school I entered such the opportunity to use their science
contests systematically, and it really came communication skills!
down to a simple calculation: the cash
value of the prize, divided by my estimate
of my chances of winning, divided by
the number of hours it would take me to 62. Remember: skepticism isn’t only for scientists!
enter.
For this and other reasons, many contests Karen: Think outside science. Skepticism is
wind up with a very poor response rate relevant to education. Period. Encourage
relative to the time and effort required to your children, students and colleagues to
create and administer them. (It takes a think critically about every topic, from
lot of work to conceive, organize, economics to history. “Critical thinking,”
advertise, and judge a contest.) “common sense”— by any name,
Luckily, there are additional (inexpensive) skepticism has practical applications in
carrots that also appeal to students: a all areas.
turn in the limelight, and impressive Jeff: For example, consider “Home
credentials to include in a scholarship Economics” class (or whatever it’s called
résumé. now). Running a household is all about
Even then, though, students have to skepticism: lead kids on a shopping
hear about the contest to enter. Getting excursion and show them how to see
the word out can also be a challenge, so through deceptive marketing
I recommend looking at what others and advertising.
1 http://www.skeptics.com.au/journal/2006/3.pdf 35
The Center for Inquiry’s headquarters
LIBRARIES in Amherst, NY, maintains the largest
skeptical library of its kind in the world,
over 80,000 volumes. And almost all of it
was donated or bequeathed over the
years, including the Martin Gardner
63. Donate materials to the research libraries
Papers and Books collection, the Steve
of skeptical organizations — especially hard-
Allen Notebooks, the Gordon Stein
to-find historical material.
Papers, the Hal Verb Little Blue Book
Collection, in addition to signed works
Daniel: My Junior Skeptic studio, the Skeptics by Robert G. Ingersoll, various first
Society, the JREF, and CSI all have editions of Thomas Paine’s Age of
research libraries (as do other national Reason, and some 19th Century
and regional groups, and some podcasts). Spiritualism items. It also houses a
Most accept donations of science and complete repository of titles published
paranormal books, videos, periodicals, by Prometheus Books.
and ephemera. If you have relevant Why is all this important? The skeptical
material you’d like to contribute, please enterprise is an intellectual endeavor,
contact the organizations or speak to their and increasingly one of serious
librarians about their needs. (Storage scholarship. As such, libraries ought
space is always an issue.) to be the very hub of skeptical
Kylie: To help out with the storage problem intellectual work.
Daniel mentions, use your scanner. Burn
LIBRARIES
a disk or pop digitized information onto
a space-saving portable hard-drive and
donate that to a skeptical organization. 64. Donate skeptical books, DVDs, and magazine
You might also donate to help the subscriptions to local and school libraries —
group host some research items online. especially material suitable for kids!
It not only saves space but makes the
material more accessible to researchers Pat: Some donors have given us small grants
from other groups. for the specific purpose of sending
Karen: If you have sufficient space and Skeptic magazine subscriptions to
resources, start your own skeptical libraries.
library, large or small. Where feasible, D.J.: You can buy gift subscriptions to the
make the library accessible to other various skeptical magazines for libraries,
skeptics — and to believers. but a note of caution: many libraries will
Eugenie: Amazon.com has a “wishlist” feature not accept a one-year subscription, since
with which skeptical organizations with they don’t want small runs of a periodical
libraries can list desired books and other in their stacks.
materials. Then individuals who wish to Consider funding a five- or ten-year
support a skeptics organization can run of a skeptical magazine for your
know what to donate. local library, but meet with the librarian
first to pave the way: let them know
D.J.: If there can be a Christian Science the subscription you’re donating is
Reading Room in every city, why not something they can depend on to
“Science Reading Rooms,” outreach centers help build their holdings.
supported by the donations of books by
area skeptics? All Centers for Inquiry Tim: WorldCat (worldcat.org) can give you a
maintain libraries of various sizes with precise list of libraries in your area that
just such a mission. In addition, CFI has have specific skeptical books. Look up
funded or provided libraries of skeptical your favorite skeptical books to find
books to campus and community groups which ones are under-represented at
around the world, including groups in libraries in your area. Donate those.
Russia, China, Poland, and India.
36
Some libraries dislike adding books
one at a time, because they have many
branches and cataloging a new title is
costly. Instead they will take patron
requests, and add books that have been
requested repeatedly. The bottom line is
you should check with your local librarian
for the best way to contribute. 66. Volunteer to put together a display at your
local library on great books of skepticism
Jeff: Having worked at a library, I can say and science.
that DVDs are more likely to be accepted
than books. Buy some videos from your
favorite skeptics organization and donate Kylie: Science Week, recent high-profile book
them after you watch them, and you’ve releases, and notable anniversaries and
done three good things with one purchase. holidays (Darwin Day, Einstein’s
birthday) would all be useful
Don’t forget school libraries. My kids’ occasions to target.
libraries have copies of Flim Flam! now.
Jeff: This works. Make sure it’s interesting,
Daniel: Keep fiction in mind. For example, and has as little text as possible. You’re
the original Scooby Doo, Where Are You? just trying to grab someone who’s
series is an unadulterated skeptics show walking by.
that is available in DVD box sets (as is
the more recent, true-to-the-original
What’s New Scooby Doo? series).
POLITICAL ACTION
65. Speak at libraries.
POLITICAL ACTION
Ben: I do this a lot — I regularly give free
talks for my local community centers and
libraries.
67. Make friends with politicians.
In 2008 I did a series of free lectures
on skeptical topics as a fundraiser for my
local community library. It worked out Daniel: If you are not visible, you are not
great for everyone: the local skeptics able to influence events. There is a reason
group was plugged at the bottom of the why all those business leaders have all
promotional material for the event; the those lunches, why people visit the
public got a chance to be exposed to offices of their elected officials, why
skepticism; and the library made some people attend city council meetings, and
money from donations. Sure, it took a so on. If you want skepticism to have a
few hours of preparation and a few voice in your community and in
weeknights, but it was a great way to government, you will have to talk to
spread skepticism, raise the profile of people. The odds are good that you
skeptics, and help the community personally will be the only lobbyist for
all at once. skepticism in your area — if you choose
to do it. Make yourself, your organization,
and your concerns known to
politicians….
Karen: And other community leaders.
Jeff: And then become one.
37
68. When legislation comes up that deals with a voice of your own — or will you let
paranormal topics (like the regulation of pseudoscience be the only game in
alternative medicine), write to your elected town?
officials to tell them about the scientifically
responsible position you support. Kylie: Consult a well-known scientific
authority on the subject so you can get
copies of papers or even a good sound
Kylie: Point out that it is ethically important bite to help back you up.
to protect the health of their constituents
— and also in their own best interests
to be on the side of the health of
their voters! 70. When elected officials say something
Daniel: Unfortunately, politicians tend to go scientifically wrongheaded or supernatural,
with the tide, and the public is broadly write to tell them how much you disapprove.
in favor of paranormal nonsense —
especially in the alternative medicine Brian: Stretch your reach as much as possible.
arena. When I’ve written to my Whenever you write a politician, also
representatives about these issues, I’ve copy it to local news publications as an
been very disappointed by the responses. open letter. Post it everywhere that’s
But that can’t discourage us. relevant on the Internet too.
Remember, silence is assent — and scam
artists will always lobby loudly and Kylie: This also can be sent to their opposing
effectively. It is important to speak up, member!
even if the only thing we accomplish is
POLITICAL ACTION
Daniel: Yes, that’s what I do.
to remind our elected officials that there
are multiple positions to be juggled within
their constituencies.
And, reminding them to do their due 71. When elected officials say something scientifically
diligence on these issues is an ethical literate or responsible, write to tell them how
imperative. Chances are good that you much you appreciate it.
personally possess specialized information
your official doesn’t have. Without your
input, politicians are unlikely to even ask Daniel: Like reporters, politicians expect to
the right questions. be constantly bitched at. No matter what
they do, someone will be unhappy about
Be aware that a letter carries more it. Another complaint is just another page
weight than an email, and that a face-to- in the stack.
face meeting is much better than either.
Many representatives have office hours What they really want to know is,
set aside for constituents who wish to “Am I doing the right thing?” and
voice their concerns. (especially) “Does anybody like what
I’m doing?” If your representative gets
something right, don’t miss the chance
to tell them that!
69. When legislation comes up that deals with Kylie: A change of government is always a
genuine science topics (like climate policy, or great opportunity. Propose advisors,
funding for basic research), write to your suggest projects they can support —
elected officials to tell them about the scientifically and get to know their interests so you
responsible position you support. can tap into them when relevant claims
arise.
Daniel: Again, bad science is loud. Industry, Pat: A note of caution: when you are acting
ideological think tanks, and paranormal as a representative of a U.S. nonprofit
scam artists will make sure their voices group, remember: political activity is
are heard. The question is, will you have not allowed.
38
72. Support candidates for office that advocate
science as part of their platform.
POLITICAL ACTION
many countries) to promote any candidate
while speaking as a representative of a “liberal bias” recently, simply because
nonprofit skeptical organization. When we had a few articles that seemed to be
speaking on your own behalf, do as supportive of Obama. The truth is the
your conscience advises. JREF is apolitical, and we’re actually
required to be to maintain our nonprofit
status. I don’t even know what the other
employees’ politics are.
73. Strive to keep the skeptical movement free People choose sides in politics for
from political bias or affiliation. many reasons, and there is no skeptical
party. Stick to the facts, and try not to
judge people based on labels. There are
Daniel: By all means, use every tool of skeptics all across the political spectrum
skepticism in your political life. But, for a variety of reasons.
while sound science may inform our
personal politics, please do remember Kylie: I am reminded of a skeptic named
that all political positions are ultimately John Lombard, who helped establish
subjective opinions (i.e., policies we China’s first formal skeptical organization
personally support in order to achieve (in cooperation with Chinese scientists
the ethical goals we personally consider and intellectuals in Beijing). If John had
important). allowed political bias (against communism,
against socialism, or what have you) to
Because political opinions are subjective,
limit his work, he could not have been
skeptics can (and do) occupy all parts of
so effective in advancing global
the political spectrum. These political
skepticism.
fault lines have the potential to fracture
and marginalize the skeptical movement.
39
D.J.: Agreed: this marriage of skeptical
CONSUMER ACTIVISM activism and consumer advocacy is
especially important in the area of
complimentary and alternative medicine.
The public welfare concerns raised by
untested medical treatments should
74. Write to retail stores who make unscientific inspire the righteous indignation of all
claims or offer pseudoscientific products. skeptical activists.
Let them know what you found irresponsible,
Jeff: Still, refrain from “reorganizing the
and how they could improve.
shelves” by moving woo books out of
the science section and into humor, for
Daniel: Be polite, and be sure to offer clear, example. It’s funny, but it just annoys
concrete, cheap solutions if possible the staff.
(such as moving pseudoscience books
D.J.: Such vandalism not only annoys staff,
from the science section to the
but also perpetuates the view that skeptical
New Age section).
people are nay saying, crotchety and
Swoopy: This has been proven to work. Case unable to allow for opposing views.
in point, a letter writing campaign to
Tim: If it is a particular local business and
Walgreen’s pharmacies, by members of
they are not receptive to changing their
the James Randi Educational Foundation,
ways after you contact them, make it
helped to reduce (or in some cases
known via the web. Look up the business
eliminate) the sale of the book Natural
in Google Maps as if you were going to
Cures They Don’t Want You To Know
CONSUMER ACTIVISM
visit it, and then click the “write a
About by Kevin Trudeau from their
review” link and document your
stores.
experience. (On Yahoo Maps this link is
The rational argument was that a book called “rate it”, other services also have
of unsafe, untested “cures” (by an author similar features). Your comments could
that has been fined and sued by the FCC intercept people right before they are
for dangerous quackery) should not be about to visit the business!
sold at the same place where people
buy dispensed prescription drugs from
real doctors. This resonated at the
corporate level and resulted in
75. When manufacturers make unscientific
meaningful change of policy, even
claims or offer pseudoscientific products,
though Trudeau’s book was a bestseller.
write to them too. Let them know what you
Kylie: It’s on tasks like these that we should found irresponsible, and how they could
be networking with consumer affairs improve.
groups, government watchdogs, and
like-minded nonprofit organizations to
Kylie: Many companies and publishing
combine energies. After all, the
groups have Ethics and Mission statements
Australian government’s Little Black Book
you can refer to. This was the approach
Of Scams (free online as a 1.3 MB PDF1)
that Australian skeptic Loretta Marron2
has an entire section on psychics and
took with a magazine aimed at the elderly.
fortunetellers.
The magazine claimed their highest
Forward articles about these products priority was the well-being and safety of
to the stores, and point out that they their readers. When Marron pointed out
regularly monitor recalls and product that the products they were advertising
safety — it’s not that dissimilar. and the lectures they were promoting
were in fact taking advantage of people,
they pulled those ads.
1 http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/tag/TheLittleBlackBookOfScams08 40
2 http://www.healthinformation.com.au
76. Write to media companies who promote
pseudoscientific programs or carry advertising
for pseudoscientific products. Let them
know what you found irresponsible, how
they could improve — and what impact this
will have on your viewing or reading habits.
CONSUMER ACTIVISM
organized skepticism: consumer protection
It’s not easy to find out, but don’t in fringe science areas. Skeptics should
assume that Discovery approved the ad. consider other consumer protection efforts
If it’s a local ad, it did not come from as projects closely parallel to our
the national network, as a rule. own work.
Ben: I loudly echo Jeff’s comment: Consumer
Reports is very much a skeptical magazine.
77. Share critical information about companies I’ve often thought that CSI or JREF or the
who make unscientific claims or offer Skeptics Society should make an effort to
pseudoscientific products on your blog, on team up with the Consumers Union
Facebook, and in conversation. (publishers of Consumer Reports).
Kylie: A consumer affairs TV show called The
Brian: Whenever appropriate, kill all these Investigators was a formative influence
birds with the same stone. Write a letter on my skeptical outlook. From the U.K.’s
to a TV network or magazine editor, and Consumer Direct to Australia’s Choice
post that as an “open letter” on your Magazine, these groups are our best
blog or social networking profile page. complement — and our competition!
Email it to any relevant email lists. Post it Learn how they get the job done on
to forums. Send it to publications that their sites, publications and outreach, as
compete with the one you addressed it they are already ahead in many aspects.
to, and to any relevant local or national Karen: These organizations are our natural
news sources. The sky’s the limit. allies. Reframe pseudoscientific and
Tim: Many different sites provide a way for paranormal criticisms as consumer
users to submit reviews of products. complaints, and see the sparks fly. Was
Search engines and some Web 2.0 sites it the lack of evidence for psychic abilities,
are starting to collect and aggregate these or dubious business practices that saw
reviews centrally. So by writing a review the demise of the “Miss Cleo” psychic
that points out the unscientific claims hotline empire?
made, you could reach a huge audience.
41
FILM & VIDEO
1 http://www.youtube.com/user/CaptainDisillusion 42
2 http://www.skeptic.com/category/AV
82. Organize a larger film screening with it so that we can legally sponsor movie
panel discussion. Host it at your local campus, nights at the various centers throughout
public library, community center, or at a North America. Another option is to
local movie theatre. screen something that already permits
such public use. The TED Talks,2 for
example, are distributed under a Creative
Randy: We’ve conducted over 50 screenings
Commons License. Other possibilities
of my movie Flock of Dodos: the
include movies like Flock of Dodos and
Evolution-Intelligent Design Circus1
The God Who Wasn’t There, whose
around the country, with post-screening
producers will personally grant
panel discussions.
permission to skeptical groups for
Film is not a particularly good screenings.
educational medium, but it can be a very
powerful motivational medium — getting
people very interested in a subject. With
my movie the audience doesn’t learn
83. Organize a video contest.
that much about the issue, but they do
tend to get very interested in it and want
to learn more. Randy: Video contests allow the opportunity
Bringing out a panel of experts after to actually lead the creative talents of the
the screening gives people a chance to broad audience. You pick the topic; they
have their questions answered directly. will provide the programming.
This can be a great way to provide, in Kylie: This is also something that young people
public, a demonstration of critical thinking can do. It taps into a popular medium
1 http://www.flockofdodos.com/ 43
2 The lectures comprising the “Technology, Entertainment, Design” conferences: http://www.ted.com/
84. Organize a film festival. Daniel: If you are thinking of launching a
new show, do consider the possibility of
market saturation. There are many
Randy: If you go to www.withoutabox.com
high-quality skeptical podcasts today,
you’ll see there are literally thousands of
and it does nothing to help the overall
film festivals now in the U.S. — many
cause to simply poach audience from
addressing very specific topics. You can
those shows.
organize your own festival and run it
one of two ways. Either you can have This big picture was one of the reasons
people submit films (like the contest Skeptic joined forces with Skepticality as
above), or you can seek out a selection our “Official Podcast.” Why compete
of existing films that you want to screen. when we can help like-minded projects?
For example, the University of Virginia On the other hand, there is always
ran an excellent showcase at the Virginia room for a unique voice or unique focal
Film Festival a couple of years ago titled, point: a focused look at your own coun-
“God in the Cinema,” in which they try, region, or special area of expertise
showed a dozen or so recent will always be a useful contribution —
documentaries that examined various as will skeptical shows in any non-
aspects of political activism by religious English languages in which skeptical
groups in the U.S. Pick a topic and you programming happens to be harder to
can do the same. come by.
Kylie: I recall one great season at my college Kylie: I don’t personally see saturation, but I
where a group of lecturers chose their do agree that there should be a range of
favorite films, explained why and held a topics and specialties: from parenting, to
ONLINE ACTIVISM
Q & A afterward. Why not turn it into a health, to gaming superstitions (like
panel discussion on a pro-paranormal or Natural 20 podcast), to beauty myths
science fiction film? Discuss the good (Lipgloss and Laptops).
and bad science in it and start a debate. D.J.: The glory of the new medium is that
cream rises to the top, so to speak, and
so I say the more the merrier. I do
believe that the best and most talented
skeptical spokespeople have not been
discovered yet. Likewise, the skeptical
community has not yet achieved the
ONLINE ACTIVISM best application of digital outreach.
But here is some advice: don’t assume
that because it is easy to get a podcast
85. Start a skeptical podcast — or help an on the net (it has become almost single-
existing show! button easy these days) that it is easy to
do a good podcast. The leading podcasts
Daniel: The Internet has placed some fabulous require a lot of time and a certain kind
outreach tools in the hands of everyday of perfectionism. Ginger Campbell, of
skeptics, tools that not even the biggest the excellent Brain Science podcast,
national groups were dreaming of just devotes anywhere from 20 – 40 hours a
five years ago. week to her various podcasting efforts,
for instance.
D.J.: What has been said about the new
opportunities of new digital media is And even if your podcast is done with
true: the growth of skeptical podcasting a certain level of technical proficiency,
demonstrates that there are not only new are you qualified to speak to the public
means to get the word out, but also new about skepticism? I don’t think we
audiences to receive it. I predict only should feel skittish about arguing that
more and better shows as the technology spokesmanship for any given cause
advances. requires a certain philosophical and
knowledge proficiency. This is true
44
whether we’re talking about traditional • The existing blogger will probably
media appearances, public lectures, or be delighted to have your help
skeptical podcasting. providing content (so long as
you’re a decent writer and have
Jay: As my fellow podcasters know, it is a something interesting to say).
time-consuming and thankless endeavor
— that we love! If you are passionate • You’re increasing the strength of an
enough to start a podcast, then I suggest existing resource that already has
you research podcasting to find out the mindshare, rather than increasing
details. You will need to not only come fragmentation.
up with interesting content but to have a Karen: Your blog doesn’t have to be
good understanding of podcast production solely skeptical in content. Myths and
including hardware, software and misconceptions abound, whether you’re
marketing. Like any other media, you into cooking (think dangerous diets),
will need something to make you music (think urban legends about bands)
unique. There is always room for great, or antiques (think fakes and forgeries).
creative work. I think there always Critical thinking has applications for
will be. every topic.
Kylie: It has become a trend, recently, to
have “blogging networks.” Young
Australian Skeptics1 is one such group,
86. Start a skeptical blog focused on your special which aims to gather and unite
area of interest or expertise. Or, contribute to like-minded bloggers who each have
an existing blog. their own individual sites. Such a
ONLINE ACTIVISM
practice allows autonomy and yet
Daniel: The blogosphere is a crowded place, support for both the contributors
but a new angle is always a valuable and readers.
and welcome contribution. Recently, for
example, I’ve been pleased to see new Tim: I’m a big proponent of specialization
blogs focused on skepticism for parents here. We have plenty of general-purpose
and skepticism in nursing. skeptical blogs and sites already. We
need more sites that drill down to specific
Brian: When I first added the forum area to topics and cover them in excruciating
the Skeptoid.com site, I realized that detail. You can then become the “go to”
there was already a lot of fragmentation site for that topic. Your own career or
on the Internet for skeptical forums. I training is a natural choice here, or simply
didn’t want to increase that entropy, so latch on to some specific skeptical topic,
instead of starting a new forum and then study it and make it your own.
making the fragmentation problem
worse, I asked the James Randi The other nice thing is that certain
Education Foundation if we could make skeptical topics are finite in extent. Once
the Skeptoid forum a section within their you’ve covered the topic fully, your site
existing forums. They agreed, and that’s can continue to be a reference for other
where the Skeptoid forum lives today. skeptics even if you aren’t actively
updating it. Free hosting services are
So if you’re considering starting a new ideal for this type of thing, for obvious
blog or forum, also consider becoming a reasons.
contributor to an existing blog instead.
The advantages of doing so are many: Daniel: My experience researching for Junior
• You’ll start with an existing audi- Skeptic is that a really serious, really
ence. focused look will usually uncover things
which were previously either barely
• Contributing the occasional article is known or totally unknown in the literature
much less of a commitment than — often, the essential, central facts of
taking on a whole new blog your- the case. That’s true even for large, popular,
self. long-covered topics, and of course niche
1 http://www.youngausskeptics.com 45
or regional topics tend to have even bigger Tim: Again, don’t forget to look for Amazon
research gaps. Affiliate stores or other affiliate links on
This isn’t surprising. On the one hand, the site. It’s a quite painless way to
proponents do crappy research. I mean contribute, especially if you purchase
really terrible — often failing for decades things through that site anyway.
to lock down the most basic facts or origin
stories for their own topic or claim.
Skeptics, on the other hand, must be
conversant in many dozens of widely 88. Review your favorite skeptical podcasts on
divergent areas — from iridology to iTunes.
telekinesis to Bigfoot to “thoughtography”
— and familiar with hundreds of specific
Brian: I don’t consider skeptical podcasts
proponents, arguments, and cases. With
other than mine to be “competition” —
so few skeptics working on these topics,
I see them as teammates. So I’m always
it’s inevitable that important facts will
happy to give positive feedback wherever
remain hidden, waiting for you to truly
it’s due.
shine the spotlight on them for
the first time. Also, I’m always sure to recommend
other positive reviews by marking them
as “Helpful” and negative reviews as
“Not helpful.” (I only do this when it’s
warranted, of course.)
87. Support an existing skeptical podcast or
blog with money, expert help, assistance Kylie: Even if you have a strong favorite,
ONLINE ACTIVISM
with booking interview guests, or promotion. resist the temptation to slam the efforts
of others. If we are indeed “on the same
Daniel: If national skeptical organizations are team,” act that way in your own public
shoestring operations, independent pronouncements.
online efforts are typically out-of-pocket D.J.: Such reviews are important: the more
labors of love. Most are not able to issue reviewed a show is on iTunes, the more
tax receipts, but would nonetheless likely it is that new listeners will hear it.
appreciate any help you can offer. If you like a show, be sure to help
Jay: Helping existing podcasts is a great idea. promote it. And if you are like me, you
My podcast (The Skeptics’ Guide To The aren’t a partisan for just one show or
Universe) has been fortunate to have another; you are a partisan for the
several people donate their time and skeptical movement.
skills. We have people help us with Jay: If you are going to leave feedback, try to
website development and graphics, be positive and constructive. I agree with
forum administration, live events, and Kylie that we need to act like we are all
marketing and sales. They have become on the same team. We not only need
a crucial part of our organization. your feedback to support and improve
Brian: The best way someone can help out our shows, we need to show a positive
my podcast is to tell their friends about face to the rest of the world. Those
it, forward the online transcripts via curious enough to read a podcast’s feed-
email to friends and coworkers, and back could easily be turned away from
generally help to promote it while skepticism in general.
helping to spread good information.
One person doing this is worth more to
me at the end of the day than a single
monetary donation; this is partially why I
don’t accept donations. I’d rather you
help by doing something that costs you
only two minutes of your time and is
better for me in the long run.
46
89. Link to the websites of skeptical organizations.
ONLINE ACTIVISM
Karen: Don’t forget to support your fellow
struggling independent bloggers, web- Tim: The JREF Forums played a vital role
masters and webmistresses. Form net- in the creation of my website
works with other bloggers, swap links, Whatstheharm.net. I started a discussion
disseminate news, and participate in on the idea and received a ton of fantastic
Webrings, such as The Skeptic Ring, 1 input from the forum members. Even
and Circles (such as The Skeptic’s the logo for the site came from another
Circle2 and the Skeptics of Carlos forum member.
Circle3). That said, forums can definitely
become a time sink if you let them.
This can be managed. On JREF
there are over 25 different sections,
90. Contribute to skeptical online forums but I only ever visit five of these,
(such as the JREF Forum4 or the Skeptic mainly the ones that are on specific
Forum5). skeptical topics. That way I avoid getting
dragged into time-consuming discussions
Kylie: I would suggest these as jumping-off of non-skeptical topics. Most forums
points only. Skeptical online forums also provide RSS feeds now, which
are useful for tracking current concerns allow you to easily skim new topics in
and news, but they are subject to the your feed reader without having to
same hazards as other forums: cliques, actually visit the forum and get “sucked
flame wars, and general time wasting. in” to the latest off-topic discussion.
Network beyond to people who are
active in a real-world community.
ONLINE ACTIVISM
must be twice as good at a job to be alert” the moment I posted to suggest an
considered half as qualified as a man.” alternate explanation for the topic being
That’s roughly the situation for skeptics discussed. (Then I got banned.) Well, at
among paranormal proponents: they least I got one post in, and maybe it did
expect the worst from you, and even someone some good. Hopefully some
your best-intentioned comments will forums will welcome your participation,
tend to confirm that expectation. You’re but even if others don’t, your one post
the bad guy just by politely sharing your probably has some value.
thoughts, an unwelcome presence just
Swoopy: Some paranormal forums actually
by showing up.
encourage skeptics to participate in order
Also (and this can’t be emphasized to make their website more credible. As
too much), there is every chance that the long as the forum moderators are willing
proponents, focused as they are on their to ensure that the resident skeptic will be
particular area of interest, really do afforded the same respect as the other
know the minutia of their area far better posters, and the conversation remains
than you do. This makes it very easy to civil, this is a win-win situation. The skeptic
come across as both arrogant and can monitor paranormal trends, relate
uninformed. verifiable evidence, and foster critical
To deal with this, you must have thinking among the forum members.
tremendous patience, courtesy, sensitivity
Ben: My own experience on the pro-paranormal
— and the humility to listen carefully.
panels has been rather dismal. I used to
Yes, you have things to learn from the
post fairly often on the Bigfoot / monster
people you’re talking to!
site Cryptomundo.com, but I finally gave
Swoopy: Consider the benefits of being a up. Too much time wasted trying to
humble observer in order to compile correct the misinformation and
evidence, and save the debate for the misunderstandings. A few people wrote
appropriate time and place. that they enjoyed my skeptical point of
view, but I got tired of “debating”
Daniel: Always, always be polite. No sarcasm. people who knew little or nothing about
No slurs. No name-calling. (Words like the topic, and hadn’t bothered to read
“woo” are right out.) any of the skeptical research.
48
Karen: When you’re ready, take it up a notch
and contribute skeptical articles to
pro-paranormal magazines and websites.
I have written skeptical articles about
ghosts, psychics, Electronic Voice
Phenomena and other topics for sites
such as Haunted America Tours. Ben 93. Join skeptical “Groups” on Facebook, and
Radford recently contributed to Fortean “Become Fans” of skeptical Facebook
Times. Facts and common sense, well “Pages.” Support skeptical presences at
written and presented with humor, will other social networking sites.
be read, and remembered.
I also regularly do interviews with
Daniel: Activity at skeptical Facebook Pages
non-skeptics. This usually makes for
and Groups is a low-pressure way to
spirited conversation! Don’t pass up on
increase the visibility of skepticism.
interviews, discussions and debates with
Member numbers are a key factor in the
believers. These people are our target
credibility of Facebook Groups. Joining
audience. Skeptics shouldn’t always
any such Group also places a link on
preach to the choir. You might not
your personal profile, and interactions
convince everyone, but you might affect
(posting on the “wall” for a Group or
someone.
Page, becoming a member, uploading a
fan photo, and so on) may be fed out
onto your News Feed (depending on
your privacy settings) where they may
ONLINE ACTIVISM
92. Share skeptical news stories with your interest your friends.
friends, and let them know when skeptically
minded shows are going to air. Kylie: Use these Pages and Groups as free
networking opportunities — like
Meetup.com, Facebook can open up a
Daniel: Social networking sites have whole new range of local supporters
revolutionized the ease with which many who might not know they were looking
people share skeptical news items and for you.
resources. For example, Facebook provides
a “Share on Facebook”1 button you can
drag onto the bookmarks bar of your
browser. With that, you can post items
of interest to your personal profile with 94. Find and share resources through YouTube
a single click. (These items then get fed (and similar video hosting services).
out over your News Feed.)
Kylie: YouTube is also a great venue to seek
Swoopy: There is also the opportunity to discuss
out resources to point out to friends.
the skeptical side of decidedly paranormal
programs. For example, my sister really Jeff: You can be a YouTube aggregator.
enjoys watching The Ghost Hunters on YouTube is huge now. Find the good
the Sci-Fi channel. While I don’t want to stuff, and create a page or blog and
diminish her enjoyment of the program point it out to the rest of us.
as entertainment, I have pointed her to
Alison Smith’s SAPS (Skeptical Analysis Daniel: Yes, a lot of wonderful old hard-to-
of the Paranormal Society) website2 so find skeptical documents are now a click
that she can take a critical look into away on YouTube and Google Video.
some of the Ghost Hunters’ claims for Check out gems like Uri Geller bombing
herself. on the Johnny Carson show, Michael
Shermer’s TV series Exploring the
Unknown, Randi’s “Carlos” hoax, or the
famous Peter Popoff exposé.
1 http://www.facebook.com/share_options.php 49
2 http://www.skepticalanalysis.com
95. Contribute responsible book reviews on with reliable references. In addition,
Amazon (and other book review sites) for provide external links to relevant books,
both skeptical and paranormal books. articles, and websites.
Brian: Yes, put links in Wikipedia articles to
Jay: I often find that books I’m interested in high quality skeptical sources that you
don’t have any reviews. know. For example, I see more and
more that people have linked paranormal
Brian: I give positive reviews for skeptical
articles to the online transcript for one of
books where they’re due. Fortunately
my Skeptoid episodes.
there’s plenty of skeptical material out
there that’s of high quality. Daniel: I don’t think the importance of linking
from Wikipedia to relevant skeptical
Kylie: We should write reasoned, researched,
sources can be overstated. For almost
and polite critiques of the popular
any paranormal topic, the Wikipedia
credulous and pseudoscientific texts.
entry is the number one Google hit, and
Responsible reviews could lead potential
therefore the number one source for
buyers to recognize an alternative
curious readers. That makes Wikipedia
interpretation to the back-cover blurb.
the single most important place to put
skeptical links anywhere on the web.
Amazingly, those citations can be
placed at any time, by any skeptic — for
96. Contribute responsible edits to Wikipedia.
free. That’s a staggering opportunity, yet
we’ve barely started to make use of it.
Daniel: It’s popular to complain about
ONLINE ACTIVISM
I hasten to underline the “relevant”
Wikipedia, but practically everyone uses part of “relevant skeptical sources.” Do
it (at least as a first step). For many in not spam Wikipedia! Simply cite legitimate
the general public, Wikipedia will be the sources overlooked by previous Wiki
only source they consult on a given contributors, and link to those sources
topic. appropriately, following Wikipedia’s
Unfortunately, the topics for skeptics standard editing practices.
are niche topics, and are thus less sub- Tim Farley’s article, “Why Skeptics
ject to Wikipedia’s many-eyes error-cor- Should Pay Close Attention to
rection process. Often, believers will Wikipedia”1 is a great practical introduction
write something lopsided and wrong, to this rich opportunity.
and that will stay up uncorrected —
unless a skeptic happens to make a Tim: Another quick note about Wiki links.
personal decision to fix it. Linking from Wikipedia to skeptical
You can help students and the public websites is a good thing in terms of
by making responsible, careful edits to skeptical outreach. Definitely continue
Wikipedia entries about science, skepti- to do this where appropriate.
cism, and the paranormal. It costs noth- However, this does not help the
ing to do, and it’s profoundly useful. Google rankings for skeptical sites at all.
Best of all, any skeptic can do it, easily, This is because Wikipedia applies the
at his or her own convenience. “nofollow” attribute to all outbound links
Remember, though: Wikipedia has to cut down on attempts to spam.
strict guidelines for contributors, which Daniel: Tackling Wikipedia is also something
you must follow. Anything else is van- that could be easily coordinated as an
dalism. organized project by any number of
Karen: Wikipedia is the People’s skeptics. Why not pick some terrible
Encyclopedia and a high-ranking Wiki pages and make fixing them a project
resource for most paranormal and pseudo- for your local group? Or, set it up as a
scientific topics. Do contribute, do follow collaborative project based at your
the rules, and do support your annotations favorite skeptics forum or social
networking site?
1 http://skeptools.wordpress.com/2008/12/08/why-skeptics-pay-attention-wikipedia/ 50
Kylie: Many skeptics may not realize that a 97. On your blog or in Amazon “Listmania,”
SkeptiWiki1 has been in operation for create suggested reading lists of books about
several years now. If people are interested, skepticism.
there is already a keen and dedicated
group of skeptics regularly refining
Karen: These might include books for beginners,
topics — it can use some help!
kids, popular science, and specialty topics.
Daniel: The bigger skeptics groups all host Post these lists to your blog or website,
key resources online. Wikipedia is one or you can use these lists to create hand-
of the best, most visible, and easiest outs for public events.
ways to cross-index those otherwise
independent resources in a way that is
searchable by subject. Even if
institutional rivalries exist, Wikipedia 98. If you are a student, use your technological
is a convenient neutral ground. networking talents for skeptical activism —
I’ve started to do this as a basic but get credit for it!
practice: when I add primary or key
resources at Skeptic.com, I promptly cite Kylie: Online activity has the reputation of
them in the relevant Wikipedia articles. detracting from schoolwork. If young
Kylie: Let’s stop being known on just our people blog, they have to be realistic —
own sites and get skeptical organizations not only about what time it takes from
known in reference sites like Wikipedia, their studies, but also how they can
by becoming editors, writers and just make it count towards their grades or be
plain tidying up the references and links recognized for what it’s worth.
ONLINE ACTIVISM
so people can know “who to call.” Rather than pouring effort into undirected
Remember to keep an eye on it though! work at less-coordinated “social” blogging
Errors abound with every change. networks with no mission statements,
some students find ways to reap academic
Daniel: Yes, maintenance is crucial.
rewards for their work online. Doing this
Wikipedia articles can evolve on a
requires dialogue with teachers, as well
day-to-day basis. You can’t stop change
as support and awareness from parents.
from happening, but you can help
prevent gross inaccuracies or vandalism Students who are interested in this
from taking the articles in crazy type of work should get in touch with
directions. science youth groups, education support,
and monitored message boards so they
Kylie: Show younger people how to do Wiki are not only safe but also reaching an
edits responsibly. I’ve done this as a lesson audience that needs to be reached.
with Year 8 students, as an alternative to (Merely preaching to the choir or
report writing, and found that the pride becoming involved in adults’ flame wars
they had in mastering the page formatting can be quite demoralizing for a
and editing standards really rewarding. young person!)
The interactive nature of images, videos,
links to other sites and even the need to
correctly reference, made for a great
term of work.
1 http://skepticwiki.org/index.php/Main_Page 51
PERSONAL 100. Give your friends skeptical magazines,
books and videos for their birthdays or
RELATIONSHIPS other occasions.
PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
the day before I headed to my first approaching them with something that’s
skeptics conference in Melbourne ended confrontational right off the bat. I let
up being photographed and put on the them discover the rest for themselves.
front page of the Australian Skeptics site. More than once, using this technique,
At the time, the “Stop Sylvia Browne” I’ve uncovered a closet skeptic.
site was still under development, but it
Jeff: Remember: friend first, skeptic second.
helped raise some interest.
People are more important than their
At Dragon*Con, badges were all the beliefs. If you find things getting too
rage and certainly not that expensive to heated, stop. It’s not worth it.
create and distribute. And as I showed
myself, creating an iron-on transfer Ben: I agree with Daniel, Brian, and Jeff… If
image can help those at home produce the gift receiver isn’t that into skepticism,
the message themselves! try a good overall skeptical science book
like The Demon-Haunted World.
Swoopy: Don’t be afraid to create your own
apparel. Even though there are many D.J.: Years ago, friends of ours in Buffalo, a
groups and businesses that make fabulous young couple, seemed undecided about
skeptical wearables like Evolve Fish, if evolution and the scientific outlook. And
you don’t find anything that appeals to so, we conspired to “save them:” we
you, make your own. gave them a set of Carl Sagan’s Cosmos
on DVD one Christmas. This had the
Websites like Cafe Press and Zazzle
added benefit of giving a great reason
make it easy to create your own apparel
for a series of movie nights with them.
with your own text and graphics. These
companies are happy to create “one-off” Tim: Another good reason to do this is to sell
pieces of wearable art. Most are quite more skeptical books, magazines and
reasonably priced, ship internationally, videos. Skeptical products have to live in
and have quick turn around. the marketplace, and if they don’t sell
well, publishers will not want to create
more of them.
52
101. Don’t call people names. about the fundamental questions. If you
only ever socialize with fellow skeptics,
you’re going to be less effective at
Daniel: Seriously. Don’t. Skeptics are often
“sharing the gospel.”
perceived as bullies and jerks. The
minute you call someone a “woo woo”
or “idiot” or “fool,” that perception of
skeptics becomes correct. Ad hominems
are just as ugly and counterproductive 103. Have genuine conversations.
coming from skeptics as from anyone
else. Daniel: We skeptics are in the communication
Jeff: Penn & Teller call people names to business, and communication begins
protect them from legal action, but I with respect and approachability. As
think it’s best to stick with the simple Eugenie Scott told me, “Persuading people
facts. Bob Park says that ridicule is the means treating them with respect —
best way to expose frauds and other which is something we all ought to be
liars, and it seems to work for him, but doing anyway.”
taking the high road is always safe. People believe weird stuff. That doesn’t
mean they’re morons. Remember to
Kylie: I’ll never forget my horror at seeing genuinely talk to people — and that
someone at a Dragon*Con 2008’s means genuinely listening. Seek common
SkepTrack conference throw an (empty) ground. Be sensitive to their hopes,
water bottle at a person who defended dreams, and reasoning. Give up any
paranormal claims — actual physical sense of superiority you may be
PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
violence. We cannot, cannot afford to suffering under.
have this stereotype perpetuated. As
skeptical rock musician George Hrab After all, many active skeptics started
said in response to that event, “Please out as believers in the paranormal. (I
be as level-headed as you can, and certainly did.)
it’s difficult sometimes, I know.” D.J.: Realize that a “genuine conversation”
won’t always change someone’s mind.
Often, the best way to follow up on a
genuine conversation or disagreement is
to let your friend continue to be wrong.
102. Practice “lifestyle evangelism.” But where persuasion is an appropriate
goal, conversation is always better than
Daniel: Skeptics have the reputation of being argument. When I was in college, I
surly naysayers — partly because some loved to go to an area in University City
skeptics are! The best way to combat where the street preachers preached. I
that stereotype is to rise above it: be loved to engage them in argument, but it
nice to people. Seriously. Be a good was mere sport. Had I intended to persuade
neighbor. Be helpful. Never be rude them of the error of their ways, a much
about your skepticism. better setting would be over coffee
sometime.
Karen: We’ve all heard the same arguments
before: skeptics are cantankerous, Eugenie: Sometimes skeptics just enjoy a
closed-minded cynics. If you agree good argument, and it’s so much fun to
with this, speak for yourself. flatten that UFO fan with your superior
knowledge! But after your have assuaged
D.J.: Never be rude about your skepticism, your ego, what have you accomplished?
but never think that merely disagreeing
Figure out what your goal is. If it is to
equals rudeness. And the real way to
increase the number of people who
practice lifestyle evangelism is to make
think critically, who understand science,
sure your lifestyle allows you to be
and who are (ideally) enthusiastic about
around people who disagree with you
it, then work towards that goal. Smugly
53
enjoying a “good fight” isn’t going to 104. Offer advice and assistance to people
accomplish that goal, however pleasing around you.
it may be in the short haul.
Also, many of the interactions we Karen: We periodically receive emails and
have with people are going to be calls from people who are frightened by
fleeting: maybe one or at the most two seemingly inexplicable experiences in
conversations. I call this “drive-by their home or workplace. If you can,
science.” Don’t think that you will offer to investigate, or posit explanations
convince someone in one pass that his for any strange activity. This is a preferable
or her beliefs about Bigfoot or some alternative to ghost hunting groups who
other paranormal enthusiasm are wrong: only offer confirmation bias that the
it isn’t going to happen. Be content with “haunting” is real, and suggest these
opening the door a bit to a broader hauntings can be “solved” by enlisting
understanding the next time the person the assistance of a psychic or religious
thinks about the issue. figure.
Ben: Always treat believers with the respect Daniel: Sometimes people are genuinely
you expect. In my decade of paranormal relieved to hear a plausible explanation
investigation, I have never told anyone for weird stuff in their own lives. It’s
they were stupid or crazy because they always surprising to me to be seen as
believed in the paranormal. Instead of the good guy for a change, but it does
saying, “You’re wrong and here’s why,” happen. For example, several times
try, “Well, what you think could be true, friends, acquaintances, or even strangers
we don’t know everything. But is it have told me about their terrifying personal
PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
possible that there’s another explanation? experiences with something that was
What about this…?” obviously sleep paralysis.
Karen: A lesson I learned recently is to never Most people who experience sleep
“dumb it down.” I wrote an article for a paralysis have never heard of it, and
paranormal website, and then rewrote it have no idea what happened to them. It
a year later for the Young Australian can therefore be extremely frightening,
Skeptic’s site.1 I realized that I’d “dumbed erode quality of life, or even throw an
down” the article for my paranormalist experiencer’s entire worldview into
readers, and needed to significantly question. If a hostile ghost, demon, or
intellectualize it for the young skeptics! alien attacks you in the “safety” of your
I didn’t like the disparity I’d created. It own bed (which is how sleep paralysis
reminded me of the time some colleagues feels to many people) that can obviously
wanted me to simplify “linguistics” to be a shattering, life-altering event.
“language.” I thought that this In some such instances, revealing that
underestimated the intelligence of my a common, harmless phenomenon
students. Treating people as stupid can matching their experience is well known
offend, or worse, can fail to educate. to science can bring swift, profound, and
By all means, write in an audience- welcome relief to people you encounter
appropriate manner, but don’t assume in everyday life.
that people are unintelligent. Don’t treat Jeff: I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating:
’em dumb, if you don’t want ’em dumb. organize your skeptic group to do
something public and non-skeptical,
such as cleaning a park, river or highway.
Let people see your group as part of the
community rather than outside it.
1 http://www.youngausskeptics.com/ 54
105. Remember, skepticism starts with you. Jeff: The most important three words in
skepticism are “I don’t know.” If
you’re comfortable saying that, others
D.J.: For me, the phrase “skepticism
will be too. Our job isn’t to get any
starts with you” means applying the
particular fact across — it’s to
tools of skepticism first and foremost
encourage a thoughtful mindset.
(and most often) to my own thinking.
I think skepticism should be less of Swoopy: Especially for those who have
a weapon against others and more gained recognition or fame through
of a tool for self-improvement. With media exposure, it’s important to
a background both in fundamentalist remember that you may be the only
Christianity and occult practices at example of skepticism that many
various times in my youth, I see people come in contact with. This
skepticism to be best when it is means that your general attitude
self-applied. and disposition are under the
microscope of public scrutiny.
Karen: As activists for skepticism, we
are taking on the responsibility of While we as a group may debate
educating others, and therefore loudly amongst ourselves and
need to continue to educate ourselves. engage in hypercritical discussion of
We are always representatives for topics we are passionate about,
skepticism, and should always be consider that the public at large may
ready to discuss a skeptical find this type of debate off-putting.
perspective, where appropriate, Don’t cement the curmudgeonly
with our children, family, friends, label that the skeptic movement is
PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
colleagues and strangers. This isn’t working hard to dispel. Especially
proselytizing; this is promoting for those in the public eye, it never
science, education, logic, and hurts to be a little more general,
healthy skepticism. more inclusive, and more polite.
This free project is hosted by the Skeptics Society. Find many more resources at
55
APPENDIX: QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
Also available online at www.skeptic.com/article/WhatDoIDoNext
56
13. Learn from other activist organizations.
LEARN & COMMUNICATE
• If you have experience with other forms of
9. Know your stuff! Follow the skeptical literature, activism, draw on what you’ve learned in
and the paranormal literature. those other areas. Learn from the most
• Skeptics should know what believers believe. responsible and effective campaigns you
see around you.
• Do your homework!
• Skeptics have to overcome a stigma for being
cranky naysayers. We must keep to the high
10. Sample broadly from the wider skeptics ground.
literature. • If you form a skeptics group, do pick a
• Some people who identify as skeptics have memorable, short, simple name. Don’t pick
never dipped deeply into the wider skeptical a clever acronym, or a name that must be
literature. explained to be appreciated.
• Expose yourself to a wide variety of books,
magazines, podcasts, forums, and blogs. 14. Learn from other outreach efforts.
• Major skeptics magazines have placed many • Skeptics can learn from the hard-won experience
older articles online. of political and religious promoters throughout
history.
11. Learn what makes professional marketing • Stressing our enthusiasm for science and critical
and communication effective. thinking is a far more positive message than
bashing pseudoscience.
57
17. Explore new frontiers for skepticism.
• Avoid preaching to the choir. Publish skeptical
articles where believers will encounter them.
• Consider publishing in “women’s” magazines
and pro-paranormal magazines.
• The science fiction community and geek culture
INVESTIGATE
are fertile ground for skeptical outreach. The 21. Remember, the goal of skeptical investigation
SkepTrack program at Dragon*Con is now isn’t to cast rhetorical doubt on paranormal
one of the largest skeptics conferences claims, but to discover what’s true.
in the world.
• Don’t assume that your skepticism alone qualifies
you to be a paranormal investigator, any more
18. Learn what skeptics are doing overseas. than it qualifies you to be a crime scene
investigator.
• An extensive list of international skeptical
organizations is maintained by CSI at • Learn investigative methods, rules of evidence,
www.csicop.org/resources/ and interview techniques.
• Skeptic.com also links to many international • Don’t get ahead of the evidence. Definitely
groups at www.skeptic.com/about_us/relat- don’t plug in a standard general explanation
ed_organizations.html as the answer for a specific case.
• Especially noteworthy groups exist in • Poorly done research by debunkers gives
Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Italy, India, skepticism a bad name.
20. Make allies. Be cooperative. • Never barge into a mystery with an insulting
attitude, poor investigative skills, or an
• Skeptics, atheists, and humanists are infamous
inadequate understanding of the facts.
for splintering over doctrinal differences and
interpersonal politics.
• We need help. Build bridges.
• Work with religious groups. (Our best allies
for defending evolution are members of the
mainstream clergy groups.)
58
24. Test something. Construct a well-controlled 27. If your city or region has no local skeptics
experiment. group, start one. This could be a serious
• A “well-controlled experiment” can be very activist organization, something as loose and
difficult to do in practice. To construct a solid fun as a local “Skeptics in the Pub” — or anything
experiment, you must be familiar with scientific in between.
protocols, blinding, control groups, statistical • It doesn’t take much to get started, just three
analysis, etc. or four people who really care about the subject
matter. Even CSI and the Skeptics Society started
• Professional scientists sometimes spend years like this.
trying to eliminate sources of error in their
studies. • Skeptical groups provide community for
like-minded doubters. Skeptics enjoy parties
• A well-designed test should have unambiguous, and social functions as much as anyone else!
self-evident results with no subjective judgments
needed. It should have the fewest number of • Variety of opinion is healthy for a skeptics
variables possible. group. Be welcoming and inclusive.
• Poorly constructed tests damage the skeptical
enterprise. 28. If a local skeptics group already exists in
• Consider studying Martin Gardner’s How Not to your area, support it.
Test a Psychic: Ten Years of Remarkable • Support your local grassroots group even if
Experiments With Renowned Clairvoyant Pavel you’re also involved in larger regional or
Stepanek, Richard Wiseman and Robert national skeptical activism.
Morris’s Guidelines for Testing Psychic
• You can help by donating knowledge, attending
26. Start a skeptics club at your high school or • Read the essay in text format at (PDF) at
on your college campus (or join if one already http://skeptic.com/downloads/raising-our-
exists). game-oct-2008.pdf
• Social networking sites like Facebook and • Listen to the essay in audio format on the
MySpace have made organizing easier. Skepticality podcast:
• Clubs should have a clear mandate for either http://media.libsyn.com/media/skepticali-
skepticism or atheism but not both. This helps ty/090_skepticality.mp3
avoid conflict and frustration. • Visit http://skepticamp.org
59
30. Start a skeptical book club at your local 35. Help distribute flyers, put up posters, or
bookstore, community center, or college. notify the press when skeptical or science
• Most large brick and mortar book chains like speakers are giving local talks.
Borders, Barnes & Noble, or Chapters host • Get the word out any way you can: email,
local book clubs, and will advertise the group flyers, posters, small ads. Don’t be shy!
in their monthly newsletter. The store might
even feature or display your book club
selection. 36. Arrange field trips for grown ups to science
museums.
• Be inclusive of people of all positions and
• Most people are willing to pay a little
opinions!
something for the trip and lectures so these
are also good fundraisers.
31. Celebrate the birthday of your favorite • You could also create audio tours of these
scientist — or some other scientific landmark places.
— in a fun way, and invite lots of people.
• A party is a great way to communicate that
science is uplifting and important — and 37. Volunteer at your local science museum.
worth celebrating! • It’s easy and rewarding — and you get a
discount at the gift shop!
32. Buy a telescope and host a star party for • Skeptics are in the science communication
students and adults to get them interested in business — and science museums are
science. Or, build a social outing around a ground zero for science outreach.
34. Get a booth at community fairs and events 40. Donate recent back issues of skeptical
and fill it with information about being a magazines to waiting rooms at doctors’ and
skeptic. dentists’ offices or local hospitals.
• This can be a great organization builder — • Challenge alternative medicine: make reflection
and fun for members. start in the waiting room!
60
41. Invite health care professionals (and other 45. If you see media get it right, send a letter
experts) to speak to senior centers about of appreciation to the reporter — and tell
medical quackery (and other rip-offs). their boss how much you loved it, too.
• Seniors are often the targets for scams: healing • One letter of support for good reporting is
schemes, real estate rip-offs, psychic cons — worth ten complaints.
even just predatory antiques dealers. Any
suitable expert on any relevant topic might
make a valuable speaker. 46. Organize a skeptical letter-writer’s club at
your favorite online forum, aimed at polish-
ing draft letters to the editor on pseudoscientific
42. Prepare accurate, thoroughly cited fact topics.
sheets on health fraud and quackery. If you • Highlight current media stories each week and
know a doctor, solicit their editorial assistance. create “form letter” templates people can
Give the sheets to seniors’ centers, pharmacies, build on.
doctors’ offices, hospitals and church groups
to distribute.
• Be sure to include additional book and
Internet resources as well as (referenced) 47. Put together fax numbers and email
facts. addresses of local news reporters and radio
personalities. Send them relevant, topical
• Don’t be afraid to contact consumer rights information they can use (such as a well-
groups and watchdog sites like referenced fact sheet when a movie relating
Quackwatch.org for additional resources. to science or the paranormal is about to be
released).
44. If news media make a moderate error of 49. Submit book reviews to local papers and
fact or interpretation, write a short friendly newsletters on important skeptical books.
letter directly to the actual reporter. • See if you can apply the content to something
• Help the reporter get it right next time. Be on local for maximum impact.
their side!
• This is particularly useful if the author’s book
• Building a friendly relationship with the tour is heading your way.
journalist may also help when it comes time
to break a story or promote an event.
61
50. With the cooperation of your local university 55. Provide tutoring to students (of all ages)
science departments, create a science telephone in the sciences, basic literacy, or English as a
line for reporters and media researchers to Second Language (ESL).
call with questions. • Literacy and education are fundamental to
• Reporters need easy access to reliable, skepticism.
quotable experts on both the findings of real
science and the truth behind pseudoscientific • Poor language comprehension is a serious
claims. obstacle to learning about science.
• This is an easy and fun opportunity to reach a • Skepticism is relevant to scholarship of all
lot of people in your community. kinds.
• Be prepared to be flexible. Expect edits! • If critical thinking classes already exist at your
local college, contact the professors and ask
• Consider contributing to school newspapers, them how you can help.
campus magazines, and street press publica-
tions.
57. If you’re qualified, write textbooks or
develop curricula that include skepticism,
critical thinking, and sound science (particularly
evolution).
54. Volunteer as a guest speaker for classes • It takes a lot to conceive, organize, advertise,
and school assemblies. and judge a contest.
• PTA boards are often in charge of finding • Contests should have an enticing prize (some
presenters for school assemblies. fame plus some cash) to ensure a reasonable
response rate.
• Make contact at the beginning of the year
while there’s still budget and time to get on • Read a detailed postmortem of an Australian
the schedule. skeptics writing contest in a 2006 issue of The
Skeptic, available for free online.1
• Recommend speakers and relevant shows for
your local schools.
1 http://www.skeptics.com.au/journal/2006/3.pdf 62
60. Contribute prizes to local school science 65. Speak at libraries.
fairs. Or, if you are a scientist, volunteer your • This is a great way to spread skepticism, raise
services as a judge. the profile of skeptics, and help the community
• This presents skeptics as positive contributors all at once.
to educational ventures.
61. Encourage more scientists to show up at 66. Volunteer to put together a display at your
career day. local library on great books of skepticism and
• “Science” can be food science, mining, science.
astronomy, forestry, local museums, genetics, • Science Week, recent high-profile book releases,
forensic science…. and notable anniversaries and holidays
(Darwin Day, Einstein’s birthday) would
be useful occasions to target.
62. Remember: skepticism isn’t only for scientists!
• Skepticism is relevant to education. Period.
Encourage your children, students and colleagues
to think critically about every topic, from
economics to history. POLITICAL ACTION
67. Make friends with politicians.
• If you are not visible, you cannot influence
events. Make yourself, your organization, and
LIBRARIES
63
70. When elected officials say something 75. When manufacturers make unscientific
scientifically wrongheaded or supernatural, claims or offer pseudoscientific products,
write to tell them how much you disapprove. write to them too. Let them know what you
• Whenever you write to a politician, cc it to found irresponsible, and how they could
their opposing member. improve.
• Many companies and publishing groups have
Ethics and Mission statements you can refer to
71. When elected officials say something in making your case.
scientifically literate or responsible, write to
tell them how much you appreciate it.
• Politicians want to know when people 76. Write to media companies who promote
approve of their actions. If your representative pseudoscientific programs or carry advertising
gets something right, tell them that! for pseudoscientific products. Let them know
what you found irresponsible, how they could
• U.S. nonprofit groups are barred from political improve — and what impact this will have on
activity. your viewing or reading habits.
• Advertisements for pseudoscientific or fraudulent
72. Support candidates for office that advocate products are worth a letter to the editor —
science as part of their platform. particularly in cases where the advertisement
runs counter to the publication’s mission.
• This advice is for individual private citizens
only. It is unlawful in the U.S. (and many • Be aware that TV ads may be inserted by the
countries) to promote any candidate while national network, the satellite company, or the
speaking as a representative of a nonprofit local cable network.
64
84. Organize a film festival.
FILM & VIDEO
• There are thousands of film festivals in the
79. Start your own public access or YouTube- U.S. — many addressing very specific topics.
based TV series. Invite local scientists, educators
• Organize your own festival. Either have
and writers to discuss good skepticism.
people submit films, or seek out a selection
• Public access is a great resource for production. of existing films you want to screen.
You’ll walk out with a semi-professionally
produced video that you can publish online.
• YouTube and new video technology allow
virtually everyone to shoot, edit and post their
own short videos. ONLINE ACTIVISM
85. Start a skeptical podcast — or help an
80. Film a skeptical movie. (Remember, existing show!
YouTube provides a venue for short, low • Skeptical podcasting gets the word out in new
budget efforts.) ways, and also creates new audiences.
• Be aware that it’s a lot of work to make even • The leading podcasts require a lot of time and
a short movie look good. technical proficiency — as well as skeptical
• Some skeptics are creating great content for expertise.
YouTube.
• Full motion graphics is still an area in which 86. Start a skeptical blog focused on your special
83. Organize a video contest. • Support the skeptical movement, not one
show over another.
• Video contests harness the creative talents of
the broad audience.
• Video is especially suitable for young people. 89. Link to the websites of skeptical organizations.
• Linking is vital to a website’s placement in
• Talk to your community film society about Google and other search engines.
developing a contest together.
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90. Contribute to skeptical online forums 96. Contribute responsible edits to Wikipedia.
(such as the JREF Forum or the Skeptic • For many in the general public, Wikipedia will
Forum). be the only source they consult.
• Online forums have drawbacks, but are a
great way to meet like-minded people and • Help students and the public by making
develop ideas. responsible, careful edits to Wikipedia entries
about science, skepticism, and the paranormal.
• Make suggestions to improve the content and
policies of online forums. • Wikipedia has strict guidelines for contributors,
which you must follow.
• For almost any paranormal topic, the
91. Contribute (very politely!) to online Wikipedia entry is the number one Google hit.
paranormal forums. Amazingly, skeptical links and citations can be
• Skeptics shouldn’t just preach to the choir. placed on that top page any time, by any
skeptic — for free!
• To have any positive impact at a pro-paranor-
mal site, we must have tremendous patience, • Tim Farley’s article, “Why Skeptics Should Pay
courtesy, sensitivity — and the humility to lis- Close Attention to Wikipedia” is a great practical
ten carefully. introduction to this rich opportunity:
http://skeptools.wordpress.com/2008/12/08/w
• You might not convince everyone, but you
hy-skeptics-pay-attention-wikipedia/
might plant a seed.
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100. Give your friends skeptical magazines,
books and videos for their birthdays or other
occasions.
• Don’t be pushy. Give gifts that genuinely
address the interests of your friends and relations.
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EDITORIAL REVIEWERS
Many thanks are given to those who proofed
and reviewed this project, and who provided
key suggestions implemented in this final
version. Special thanks are due to
Martin Rundkvist
Archaeologist
Editor, Folkvett
Veronica Good
Freelance writer
Michael McRae
B.A. Applied Science; B.A. Education
Grad. Dip. Science Communication
Reed Esau
Skepticamp pioneer
Claire Litton
Freelance writer
THANKS
Jason Loxton
Paleontology grad student
Freelance writer
Jillian Baker
Teacher
PERMISSIONS
Contents are Copyright © 2009 the Skeptics
Society and the authors and artists. Permission is
granted for non-commercial research and educational
use: you may print, distribute, and post with proper
citation and acknowledgment.
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